Sunday, January 28, 2018

Delta Devils Down Second Ranked Jackson State, 72-67

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – Never count Coach Payne and the Delta Devils out. Saturday's game lived up to the rivalry hype, with the Delta Devils toppling the number two ranked Jackson State Tigers 72-67.

The Delta Devils held on late down the stretch to pull out the win in a fashionable manner. Kylan Philips led the way with 23 points, which 16 of the 22 came in the second half. The second half was a nail biter, and it wasn't until the last minute of the contest that a definite winner was clear when Dante Scott sank back to back pairs of free throws, after being silent the majority of the game.

From the beginning, the game was a close one with both teams trading back to back buckets. The Tigers didn't make the contest easy for the MVSU, as they maintained great ball movement, intent on wearing down the Delta Devils. However, early foul trouble resulted in Coach Payne rotating his players which avoided the fatigue.


Maurice Rivers and Darius Austin lead the Tigers with 15 and 12 points respectively. Whether it be from trading baskets, to missed dunks, and-ones, or clutch free throws the game was interesting from start to finish.

The second half didn't start until two minutes after the whistle sounded notifying the start of the second half. Neither team could get their shots to fall until Evans drained a three for the Delta Devils. Despite shooting 52.3% from the field, and missing nine shots from the charity stripe, Valley held on to win the game.

The gym was loud and full of energy from the 9:24 mark of the second half to the end of the game. This surge was due to Evans picking up his fourth personal foul. From there the score was up and down, and nobody seemed to control the tempo. This game truly went down to the wire.

There were three Delta Devils in double digits. Kylan Philips lead with 23, followed by Jordan Evans' 13 points and Dante Scott's 11 points. Arinze Anakwenze was just shy of a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.

Up next, will be Monday night at home against the Tiger's from the west, Grambling State, with tipoff at 7:30 pm.

BOX SCORE

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

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