With a chance to end a four-game losing skid, Mississippi Valley State threw the game away — literally, threw it away.
The Delta Devils had 23 turnovers, including three costly ones in the final three minutes, setting the stage for a 72-65 Prairie View win Saturday night at the Leflore County Civic Center.
The Panthers (5-14, 3-2 in SWAC) notched their third straight victory by scoring 29 points off turnovers and getting 19 second-chance points off 18 offensive rebounds.
“We made some bad decisions that led to a lot of costly turnovers. We’ve got to go back and work on specific situations so we make better decisions next time,” said first-year Valley coach Andre Payne.
Valley was without leading scorer Jordan Washington, who didn’t dress out for what Payne said was a violation of team rules.
DeAngelo Priar led Valley with 14 points while Isaac Williams added 13. Jabari Alex had a career-high 10 points off the bench for MVSU.
Greenwood’s Jeffrey Simmons had seven points, two assists and two rebounds.
Five Prairie View players scored in double figures, led by Montrael Scott's 18 points.
MVSU shot 40 percent from the field but made only 5-of-17 three-pointers.
Valley had the ball late down two points but a turnover in the lane allowed the Panthers to quickly push their lead to four.
Valley (2-17, 1-5) now must try and avoid a six-game losing streak with a win over SWAC co-leader Texas Southern Monday at the Civic Center. TSU has wins over Kansas State and Michigan State this season.
“They have a really good team with a lot of Division I transfers, but we will be ready to go,” Payne said.
In the women’s game, MVSU’s bench provided 36 points, but the Devilettes remained winless in SWAC play at 0-6.
The Lady Panthers won 78-61 to drop the Valley women to 2-15 on the year.
Kadesha Floyd scored a career-high 14 points off the bench for Valley, while Taylor Green added 12. Kahdejah Stevens contributed 10 off the bench for the Devilettes.
Jeannette Jackson led Prairie View with 22 points.
