Mississippi Valley State is developing a reputation as a defensive-minded team in the offensive-minded Southwestern Athletic Conference.
It seems to be working for the Delta Devils, who are 10-4 overall, 4-0 in the SWAC after blasting instate rival Alcorn State 68-42 Saturday night in Itta Bena at the HPER Complex.
Valley, which came in leading the league in points allowed per game (51.7), field goal percentage defense (29.8 percent) and steals per game (11.7), put on another defensive clinic - holding the Braves to just 21 percent shooting from the field and took advantage of 25 Alcorn turnovers.
The Braves struggled so badly on offense that they failed to have a player score more than seven points.
Valley led by as many 20 points in the first half, but the Braves closed the half with 22-10 run. DeAndre Jones drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to trim Valley's lead to 41-33 at the break.
The Delta Devils scored the first three points of the second half and the rout was on. Edward Mack's two-handed slam dunk in the opening minutes of the second half charged up his teammates and the standing-room-only crowd of 4,987.
"With that 3-pointer and the run Alcorn made gave them the momentum at the half, but our guys kept their composure, setting the tone for the rest of the game with their defense," Valley head coach Lafayette Stribling said.
Alcorn (2-10, 1-4 in SWAC) was 2 of 21 from the field in the final 20 minutes and managed to score just nine points. The Braves didn't help themselves at the line either, hitting just 5 of 15 from the charity stripe.
But it was free-throw shooting that got the Braves back in the game in the first half, as they knocked down 15 of 18 from the foul line.
Solomon Forbes led Valley on the offensive end with 18 points.
With Alcorn still hanging around midway through the second half, Forbes sparked his team by drawing a charging foul against Alcorn and then pumping in five straight points. Mack and Attarrius Norwood scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.
"This was a big win, playing at home against an instate rival and playing a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent. They are all big games from here on out," Stribling said.
Valley hosts Southern University Monday night.
Alcorn State women 61, MVSU 55 - The Lady Braves outscored the Devilettes 41-29 in the second half to get the win.
Ashley Robinson led Valley (2-10, 1-3) with 14 points.
Shikhia Sims paced Alcorn (3-9, 2-2) with 18 points.
