ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program made a season-high 22 free throws and scored its most points in a conference game to-date but could not claw all the way back to finish the job as the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions took down the Delta Devils, 78-70.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 78
  • Mississippi Valley – 70

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-21, 0-8 SWAC)
  • Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8-13, 5-3 SWAC)

 

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

 

• Series History (Since 1983)
  • Series Tied 35-35 (50%)

 

• Winning Streak (Since 1983)
  • Golden Lions (W2) / Delta Devils' Last Win: February 1, 2025 (79-76)

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Michael James went for a clean 25, the sixth occasion with at least that many points in 2025-26, leading all scorers as he made 9-of-16 (56.3%) buckets and all six of his freebies on top of four dimes, four boards, and the Devils' only multi-steal outing (2).

 

• Jonathan Pace spent his five minutes on the court putting in work, blocking nearly as many shots (3) in that span that he had in his 26-game career coming into the day (5).

 

• Daniel Mayfield built off his double-double on Wednesday courtesy of 15 points, a team-most seven rebounds, an assist, and a swat.

 

• Xzayvion Childress kept up his workhorse attitude, playing the full 40 for the second straight time en route to a contest-best six assists, a half-dozen boards, and nine points.

 
Next:
  

• Back-to-back rivalry games are the memo for Valley State as they turn their focus from the Golden Lions to the Tigers of Jackson State at 5 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena. 

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