BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The No.6 seed Mississippi Valley timeout plans of getting the ball to senior guard Jesse Taylor for an open shot with three seconds in the ball game was executed, but with Taylor shooting an air ball didn’t put Valley over the top as they lost 50-49 to No.3 seed Grambling State.
“We didn’t get exactly what we were looking for on that,” said Mississippi Valley State head coach James Green. “We’ve been up and down all year, but I’m very proud of what our guys were able to come and give today.”
Valley trying to maintain their lead from halftime went back to back in scoring with the Tigers as they were coming in close to take over the lead. Valley’s sophomore guard Stanford Speech went 2-for-2 moving the score 45-40 with 7:56 remaining.
Grambling’s sophomore guard Andre Ratliff answered back shooting a jumper followed by a 3-pointer tying the game at 45. A jumper by Grambling’s senior forward Jamar Lewis put the Tiger’s in the lead 50-47. Although, the two free throws by Taylor kept the Devils alive, it wasn’t enough for the win Taylor finished with 13 points, while Speech and junior forward Carl Lucas contributed nine each.
“We played the way we wanted to play,” said Grambling’s head coach Larry Wright. “We wanted to get out in front if we could and try to get Valley to play from behind.”
Grambling’s junior forward Anthony Williams’ lay-up shot allowed the Tigers to carry the lead to an eight-point margin over the Delta Devils 12-4 with 13:40 remaining. Lucas free throw put the Devils closer in the game 18-14.
Grambling’s Lewis shooting performance and senior guard Donte’ Gordon’s free throw moved the score to a seven-point difference. It was Taylor’s two-point play that moved the Devils into the lead going into halftime 26-23. The Tiger’s played this game without first-team All-SWAC player, Brion Rush.
“Initially, the first couple of ball games without him we had to make the adjustments,” Wright said. “I think once the kids realized that it was no more Rush, each of these kids took it upon themselves to put a little more on their shoulders individual and to replace him.”
Grambling’s Lewis had 16 points and12 rebounds, Williams and Gordon contributed 12 each. The Tiger’s will go on to face the winner of the No. 2 seed Alabama A&M-No. 7 seed Arkansas Pine-Bluff game in the semi-finals on Friday at 5 p.m. This game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
