MVSU Delta Devils open SWAC schedule with win at UAPB

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- After a non-conference schedule that pitted Mississippi Valley State against some of best teams in Division I including Indiana and Iowa State, MVSU head coach Andre Payne waited patiently for the Delta Devils' SWAC opener.

And on Saturday when that day finally arrived, the first-year head coach wasn't disappointed.

Behind Jordan Washington's 17 points, the Delta Devils (2-12, 1-0 SWAC) defeated one of the SWAC's predicted top teams, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 67-63, at H.O. Clemmons Arena in the first conference game for both teams.

Valley defeated an UAPB (3-12, 0-1 SWAC) team that upset University of Houston earlier this season.

"My guys stayed and fought till the end," said MVSU head coach Andre Payne. "We knew it would be a tough game…We told them to pay attention to detail and they did that."

MVSU's Latrell Love came off the bench to score 13 points combined with a career-high five rebounds.

Love made the go-ahead bucket with 1:03 left to give Valley a 65-63 lead. Then, after a missed 3-pointer by UAPB's Thaddeus Handley, Washington converted a pair of free throws that put the game away for the Delta Devils.

In a game that included 10 ties, UAPB held the momentum early on. The Golden Lions led by as much as 12 points in the first half before Valley stormed back to take a 34-31 halftime lead.

"We played 11 big time schools, falling down is nothing new to us," said Payne. "We just tell them to never give up. It's not a 100 percent job yet but we're getting there."

In one of their best shooting performances of the season, the Delta Devils made 45 percent of its field goals and 19-of-23 shots from the free throw line. They were efficient as well from long range, converting 4-of-8 three-pointers on the night.

DeAngelo Priar added 12 points and five rebounds. MVSU won in the reboundi
ng category 39 to 36.

JoVaughn Love led UAPB with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Delta Devils will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m. when they host Alabama A&M at the Leflore County Civic Center. It will be the fcirst home SWAC game of the season for the Delta Devils.

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION