ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program found themselves draining a season-high 20 free throws in 25 tries (80%) and got a quality contribution from Lamont Sams despite a losing effort as Alabama State came away with an 89-69 triumph.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Alabama State – 89
  • Mississippi Valley – 69

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-14, 0-1 SWAC)
  • Alabama State (4-10, 1-0 SWAC)

 

• Location
  • Itta Bena, Mississippi – R.W. Harrison HPER Complex

 

• Series History (Since 1983)
  • Hornets Lead 51-42 (45.2%)

 

• Winning Streak (Since 1983)
  • Hornets (W5) / Delta Devils' Last Win: February 13, 2023 (76-70)

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Sams was an offensive force for Coach Ivory, racking up season and team-highs regarding points (22), field goals (9-of-14, 64.3%) and rebounds (8) while playing all 40 minutes.

 

• Michael James kept his double-digit scoring streak intact with 13 points, added a half-dozen boards, set a season-high of five assists, and was one of three student-athletes to log multiple steals for Valley.

 

• The duo of Patrick Punch and X'Zaevion Barnett both contributed new personal benchmarks for free throws made in 2025-26, the former swishing seven whereas the latter made four while combining to score 20 between them.

 
Next:
  

• The other half of the prolonged Southwestern Athletic Conference's weekend slate concludes on Monday at 7 p.m. opposite Alabama A&M University.

 
Follow the Mississippi Valley State men's basketball program on Twitter (@MSValleyMBB) and Instagram (@MSValleyStateMBB).
 
Follow the Delta Devils / Devilettes on Facebook (Valley State Athletics), Twitter / X (@MVSUDevilSports), and Instagram (@ValleyStateAthletics).