JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program lit the nets on fire by shooting 51.2% (22-of-43) from the field and 50% (9-of-18) from downtown, however, Jackson State earned 50 trips to the charity stripe to win a glorified free throw shooting contest by an 85-77 margin.
The Basics:
- Score
- Jackson State – 85
- Mississippi Valley – 77
- Records
- Mississippi Valley (3-29, 2-16 SWAC)
- Jackson State (11-20, 10-8 SWAC)
- Series History (Since 1976-77)
- Tigers Lead 62-50 (44.6%)
- Winning Streak
- Tigers (W7) / Delta Devils' Last Win: February 4, 2023 (82-78)
Delta Devils' Top Performers:
- Michael James appeared in all but one game this season and hit double figures in each of the 31 contests he played in, topping the team with 22 points via 6-for-9 (66.7%) shooting in addition to making all seven of his freebies plus a tied for contest-best four dimes.
- Lamont Sams returned to the lineup after missing the last nearly two months, delivering a personal/game-most four assists and eight points off the bench.
- Patrick Punch was superb, cashing in 4-of-6 (66.7%) shots and 4-of-5 (80%) on long balls on top of a 5-for-5 night at the stripe, winding up at 17 points and multiple steals (2) defensively.
- George Ivory III got his first action of the year in the final, scoring five points with an assist and a rebound over just eight minutes.
Next:
- The Delta Devils will be the #12 seed in the upcoming SWAC Tournament and will play its First Round game against the #9 seed (Alabama State / Alcorn / Grambling State) at 7:30 p.m. central time on Monday night.
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).
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