Tyronn Mosley’s game-high 21 points wasn’t enough to propel the Mississippi Valley State University men’s basketball squad over Alabama A&M Saturday night in Itta Bena as the Delta Devils lost 70-68 in a double-overtime thriller.
The game consisted of 13 lead changes and 16 tied scores, and Valley (3-23, 2-10 SWAC) competed well in the first half. The Delta Devils took a 28-23 lead to the break, but the Bulldogs closed the lead in the final half and A&M’s Messiah Thompson’s jump shot with 26 seconds left in the game knotted the score 52-52 to finish out regulation.
The Bulldogs started off the first overtime on a 5-0 run, but MVSU got timely makes by Terry Collins, Rayquan Brown and Alvin Stredic to take a 59-57 lead with 1:20 left in the extra quarter. But with 48 seconds left in the game, A&M’s Cameron Tucker sent the game into a second overtime with a mid-range jumper.
The Bulldogs (10-15, 6-6 SWAC) ballooned to a 66-63 lead with 1:49 left in the second overtime, but free throws kept Valley in the game late and allowed them to tie the game at 68-68 with 26 seconds remaining. Thompson’s floater from the paint went through the net as time expired, giving the Bulldogs the victory.
Along with his 21 points, Mosley chipped in eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. Collins had 13 points, four assists and 10 rebounds, and Stredic finished with 10 points, five rebounds and one steal.
Valley was able to win the rebound battle, grabbing 41 as a team to the Bulldogs’ 32. A&M was able to score 48 points in the paint, an area that is usually dominated by Valley, which scored 38.
Valley hosted Alabama State in Itta Bena Monday night, and will face Texas Southern Saturday at 6 p.m. in Houston.
-Women’s basketball: The Devilettes had five players with at least eight points during Saturday’s game against the Lady Bulldogs of Alabama A&M, but was unable to topple the No. 2 team in the SWAC as they dropped a 67-50 decision.
The Lady Bulldogs (11-11, 9-3 SWAC) got off to a hot start, taking a 24-13 lead after the first quarter, and a 46-27 lead to the half. A&M kept the net moving by scoring 15 points in the third quarter to Valley’s seven, and the Devilettes responded by winning the fourth quarter 16-6 to end the game.
Kerrigan Johnson was Valley’s leading scorer with 11 points, four rebounds and one block. Elisa Saffold scored 10 points, grabbed two rebounds and dished one assist. Zaria Harleaux had eight points, eight rebounds, one block and one assist, and Lexus Eagle Chasing and Anjanae Mueck finished with eight points as well.
Rebounding and scoring down low proved to be the difference in the game, as the Lady Bulldogs grabbed 45 boards to Valley’s 37, leading to 14 second-chance points for A&M. The Devilettes had 11.
Along with the men’s team, the Devilettes (2-21, 0-12 SWAC) hosted Alabama State Monday, and will head to Texas Southern for a 3 p.m. tip off Saturday.
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com.
