As long as Mississippi Valley State struggles mightily to slow down opponents, the losses will likely continue to mount.
Valley, which ranks last in the SWAC in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense, watched Prairie View A&M shoot 53 percent from the field, including 61.5 in the second half, en route to an 87-72 victory Saturday night in Itta Bena.
“They were 56 percent on threes and 90 percent at the foul line also. When a team shoots like that, very seldom will they lose,” Valley coach Andre Payne said. “We couldn’t do anything with their guards. They dominated the game.”
Yes, they did. Two guards had career nights for Prairie View (6-14, 3-3 SWAC).
Troy Thompson scored a career-high 28 points with 10-for-13 shooting, while Shay’rone Jett added a career-best 21 points.
Thompson’s 3-pointer with 2:01 left in the first half broke the eighth tie of the game and put the Panthers on top for good, 33-30.
He helped the Panthers close the first half with a 9-1 run to grab a 39-31 lead at the break. Then they opened the second half with a 10-2 spurt, and the Delta Devils were never able to recover.
Prairie View led by as many as 18 twice in the second half.
Mississippi Valley State (2-17, 2-4) got 21 points and 12 rebounds from TaJay Henry. Marcus Romain added 18 points. Isaac Williams had 12, and Darrell Riley finished with 10 points and eight assists.
Tevin Bellinger had 12 and Zachary Hamilton 11 as the Panthers picked up their third straight win.
The Delta Devils, which came in leading the league in points per game, shot 44 percent from the field and 60 percent (18 of 30) from the foul line. They were 25 percent from beyond the arc.
“We were not there offensively, which affected us defensively,” Payne said. “We especially struggled at the line and from three. Anytime you miss that many free throws it makes it hard to get back in it.”
Things don’t get any easier for Valley Monday, when SWAC leader Texas Southern comes to town. TSU was undefeated in conference play prior to Saturday night’s game at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Tipoff is set for 8:05 p.m., and the game will be televised live by ESPNU.
The Valley women won 66-55.
Ashley Beals led the Devilettes (6-11, 3-3) with a game-high 28 points, while Kenya Hailey pumped in 19.
Kristy Parker added 11 and dished out three assists.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
