ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program forced a season-high (in NCAA Division I games) 17 turnovers with Patrick Punch accounting for nearly 30% of them during a 71-51 defeat to Alabama A&M.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Alabama A&M – 71
  • Mississippi Valley – 51

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-15, 0-2 SWAC)
  • Alabama A&M (8-7, 1-1 SWAC)

 

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

 

• Series History (Since 1983)
  • Bulldogs Lead 33-23 (41.1%)

 

• Winning Streak (Since 1983)
  • Bulldogs (W10) / Delta Devils' Last Win: February 10, 2020 (67-61)

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Punch had his best defensive night as a Delta Devil, swiping the most steals by a Valley student-athlete so far courtesy of five takeaways plus four boards.

 

• Lamont Sams is coming on strong as the calendar flipped to the new year, setting season and game-highs regarding rebounds (8) as well as blocks (4) while logging a personal-best three assists.

 

• Michael James produced 20+ points for the tenth time in 16 games, a rate of 62.5% of his overall outings, going for a contest-most 22 on 8-of-19 (42.1%) in addition to a quartet of assists to lead both sides.

 

• Daniel Mayfield was the only player donning Green and White to register at least one of each stat, cobbling together a stat line of nine points, three rebounds, a block, an assist, and a steal.

 
Next:
  

• The annual Texas two-step road swing is next as Coach Ivory's boys face Prairie View A&M on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the William Nicks Building.

   
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).