ITTA BENA, Mississippi — Figure this, earn SWAC Newcomer of the Week … play tough against tough in-state rival.
Mississippi Valley State junior center Brittney Lakes finished with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists as the Devilettes earned a hard-fought 75-74 victory over the visiting Alcorn State Lady Braves.
For MVSU (9-14, 7-5), Alia Frank added 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while Ka’Neshia Smith finished with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals. De’Kisha Fondon tallied 13 points, four rebounds and two assists while Lenise Stalling had eight points off the bench.
For Alcorn State (8-13, 7-5), Kiara Ruffin had a game-high 26 points (15 in the second half)
along with five rebounds and nine steals. Carolinsia Crumbly added 16 points and five steals while Renelle Richmond had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The first half saw MVSU jump out to an 11-0 lead within the first four minutes of play before Alcorn State climbed back into the game. MVSU led at the half 28-25.
The second period saw MVSU build a 15-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation before the Lady Braves mounted a spirited comeback, forcing several tied scores and even taking a 74-73 lead with 12 seconds remaining. However, Smith would sink two free throws with five seconds left in the game. A last-second Alcorn State attempt would go long as the buzzer sounded.
Miss. Valley State now looks to host conference leader Southern on Monday night at 5:30 pm. The Devilettes played hard against the Jaguars earlier this season, holding the lead for a good portion of the game, before Southern won the game at the buzzer.
