SEATTLE, Wash. – Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball showed flashes of offensive firepower and resilience Monday night, but a strong perimeter shooting performance by Washington proved to be the difference as the Delta Devils fell 77-64 inside Alaska Airlines Arena.
AJ Abrams led the Delta Devils (0-2) with a game-high 20 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-7 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line while adding six rebounds.
Gabriel Martinez and
Matt Anglo provided additional offensive production, finishing with 16 points apiece. Martinez knocked down three three-pointers and recorded two steals and two blocked shots, while Anglo contributed four rebounds and two assists.
Valley State wasted little time establishing its offensive rhythm, opening the contest with an 8-3 advantage behind early baskets from Anglo and Martinez. The Delta Devils attacked with confidence, knocking down perimeter shots and creating opportunities in transition before Washington responded with a series of three-pointers to take control.
Despite facing a double-digit deficit midway through the opening half, Mississippi Valley State continued to compete. Abrams provided a spark offensively, scoring 10 first-half points, while Anglo added nine and Martinez contributed six. The Delta Devils trimmed Washington's advantage to five points at 30-25 with just over five minutes remaining before the Huskies carried a 43-33 lead into halftime.
Mississippi Valley State came out of the break with renewed energy, opening the second half on a 7-1 run. A three-pointer from Abrams, a driving layup by Martinez and two free throws from
Tymias Williams pulled the Delta Devils within four points at 44-40 with 17:55 remaining.
Washington answered with a decisive offensive surge, extending its lead to 57-40 with 13:02 left to play. However, Valley State refused to go away quietly. Behind aggressive drives from Anglo, a three-point play from Martinez and continued defensive pressure, the Delta Devils responded with eight unanswered points to cut the deficit to nine.
The Delta Devils continued to battle down the stretch, with Williams providing a strong presence on the glass. He finished with a team-high eight rebounds and seven points, while
Eli Pippins added five points, three assists and two steals.
Mississippi Valley State finished the contest shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point range. The Delta Devils were particularly effective at the free-throw line, converting 19 of their 23 attempts for an impressive 82.6 percent.
Valley State also demonstrated discipline with the basketball, committing just eight turnovers while forcing 13 Washington miscues. The Delta Devils collected eight steals and scored 10 points off turnovers.
Washington (2-0) was led by Parker Friedrichsen with 17 points, while Ryan Beasley added 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Steele Venters contributed 15 points as the Huskies connected on 17 three-pointers and held a 46-25 advantage on the boards.
Despite the setback, the Delta Devils showed encouraging stretches on both ends of the floor against a Big Ten opponent, highlighted by three double-figure scorers, timely defensive plays and an ability to respond to Washington's scoring runs.
Mississippi Valley State will look to build on those positives as head coach Mike Davis and the Delta Devils continue their early-season road schedule.
UP NEXT
The Delta Devils continue their West Coast Road trip on Wednesday, November 11, when they face the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT.
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