Three-Pointers Off Target, Braves Split Season Series with MVSU

ITTA BENA, Miss. – The ball just didn't roll in favor of the Alcorn State University men's basketball program Saturday as Mississippi Valley State evened the season series with a 76-68 result at the R.W. Harrison Complex.
 
The Braves (8-16, 4-8 SWAC) were ice cold from long range, going 3-for-17 on the night. Junior Maurice Howard had drained a three-pointer in 39 consecutive games – the third-longest active streak in the country – but was 0-for-7.
 
MVSU (4-22, 2-10 SWAC) took advantage of Alcorn's tough shooting night and saw both Dante Scott and Jordan Evans score 20 points. Greg Jones-Rollins also had a big night with 16 points.
 
The Braves were paced by junior Devon Brewer who submitted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Junior DeShaw Andrews came off the bench to score 14 points, and sophomore Troymain Crosby ended with 10.
 
Alcorn outrebounded MVSU 42-35 including 17 on the offensive end.
 
The Delta Devils led 6-2 after the first three minutes, but came back to take the lead 9-8 after a lay-up by junior Alonzo Campbell at the 15:19 mark. The game was tied 15-15 when MVSU went on an 8-2 run to grab a 23-17 edge with 7:35 left.
 
MVSU was ahead 25-18 when the Braves punched back with a big 10-0 run. It started with jumpers by Brewer and senior Khari Jabriel Allen, and ended with a jumper by Johnson which made it 28-25 with 3:46 to go. However, the Delta Devils ended the half on a 6-0 spurt to regain the lead 31-28 at the intermission.
 
The team's exchanged baskets for the first part of the second half until MVSU used an 8-0 run to grab a 53-43 advantage with 9:56 remaining. The Braves didn't go away though, as a pair of free throws by Crosby and a tip-in by junior Kobe Wilson chipped into the deficit 55-51 with 7:32 left.
 
The Braves kept firing away, and a lay-up by Andrews tied it 57-57 at the 4:17 mark. However, the decisive run came with 3:22 left then the Delta Devils reeled off five straight points to lead 66-60, and extended it in the final minute as Alcorn was forced to foul.
 
Alcorn will play a nationally televised game Monday when it travels to UAPB for a 6 p.m. tip at H.O. Clemmons Arena live on ESPNU. The Braves will be going for the season-sweep over the Golden Lions after winning 74-69 at home.
 
NOTES
- Alcorn is now 7-3 against MVSU under head coach Montez Robinson who is in his fourth season. Robinson's career record in the SWAC dropped to 37-29.
 
- The Braves entered the night leading the SWAC in free throw percentage (.682) and were 9-for-13 (.692) from the line. Crosby was a perfect 4-for-4.
 
- Howard's uncharacteristic shooting night came after he broke the single-season record for three-pointers made in a season (76) last game against Grambling State. Nevertheless, he still ranks first in the SWAC in three-pointers made per game and three-point percentage.
 
- Brewer notched his second career double-double. His 12 rebounds tied a career-high. It was his 13th career double-figure scoring game and seventh this year. It was also his second career double-digit rebounding affair.
 
- Andrews tallied his 11th double-figure scoring game of the year. He was a sharp 6-for-8 from the field.
 
- Crosby registered his 24th career double-digit scoring outing, 13th this year and eighth in the last nine outings. He swatted two blocks for this first time this year and second time in his career.
 
Quoting Alcorn head coach Montez Robinson
Opening Statement
"The first few minutes of this game were similar to our last game where we had some wide-open looks but couldn't get a bucket. Then, like the last game, we got on a roll a little bit but couldn't get it at the end. It really came down to defensive breakdowns tonight. When games are close like they have been, we can't have more breakdowns than the opposing team. We have to be focused the whole way through; know the assignments, know the shooters, know who the drivers are, but we didn't follow the scouting report. We were jumping out at drivers and it hurt us. I also have to credit Dante Scott for going 11-for-12 from the free throw line because he shoots around 50 percent on the season."
 
On Maurice Howard's tough shooting night
"He's our shooter and our clutch guy, but it just wasn't his game tonight. I can't remember a game where he didn't make a three. It was just another thing that didn't go in our favor tonight."
 
On his takeaway
"It was just like everything that could go in the other team's favor did. We played the percentages but didn't shoot well from three. They made a lot of free throws when they don't normally do. We pulled down 17 rebounds and only had 14 turnovers when we average 15 a game. It just came down to defense and not being able to knock down the wide-open shots. We missed so many chip shots that we normally make. It was just a mosh pit of things that happened that didn't go in our favor tonight. We missed a good opportunity."
 
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