ITTA BENA, Miss. - Mississippi Valley State recorded a key turnover and scored late in the final seconds as TSU fell 72-71 Saturday night.
The Delta Devils jumped out of the gate as they led 10-2 early as TSU missed its first five shots while turning the ball over three times. Jaylen Wysinger would right the ship with a three-pointer, which sparked a 9-0 run fueled by near-perfect shooting from the field. From there, it was a back-and-forth affair as there were 15 lead changes until the end of the first half as MVSU led by as much as six (27-21) while TSU led by as much as one on several occasions. Once the dust settled, the Delta Devils led 36-34 at the half.
MVSU opened the second half ahead 42-36 but TSU fought back as Bryce Roberts keyed a 21-7 run with eight points while the defense held MVSU to only 3-of-10 shooting during that span of 6:46. Ahead 57-49, it appeared TSU was on the verge of breaking the game open but MVSU countered with a 9-1 run in a matter of 1:36 to knot the game at 58-all. Two free throws from Alex Anderson moved TSU back ahead 60-58, and a Duane Posey layup upped the margin to 62-58 with 7:53 left. MVSU's Michael James would hit five free throws over the next two minutes as MVSU went on a 10-4 surge to claim a 68-66 lead with 5:23 left.
TSU would slowly regain the lead as Jordan Gorecki scored for a 69-68 lead with 2:49 left. The TSU defense held MVSU scoreless, and two free throws by Zytarious Mortle pushed TSU ahead 71-68 at the 1:52 mark. TSU missed a layup with 1:04 left, and MVSU drove the length of the floor to cut the lead to 71-70.
TSU missed a layup with 34 seconds left, and TSU survived a missed shot followed by a MVSU turnover with four seconds left. However, MVSU logged a steal underneath its own basket and scored a quick layup with 1.7 seconds left for the 72-71 lead. TSU's last-second shot attempt fell short as MVSU claimed the win.
Posey led TSU with 17 points, followed by 15 from Anderson and 10 apiece from Wysinger and Mortle.
TSU returns home Thursday night to face Alcorn State at 7 p.m.
