Bulldogs Capture a 68-59 Victory over MVSU

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Normal- Action was intense from the very beginning at Elmore Gymnasium between the Bulldogs and the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University Monday Night.

Both teams came out the gate firing shots. Within three minutes of play, both teams were in double figures and shooting better than 75 percent from the field. By the first media timeout, the home squad held a small two-point lead at 14-12, on 6-8 shooting from the field. The team was also very careful with the ball, as they had no turnovers for the first five-minutes of play.

The next 10-mintues of action played out exactly as the first five, with action being fast and furious. The teams continued to trade baskets, with neither team being able to pull away from the other. The Devils and the Bulldogs shooting percentages cooled off slightly with the home team shooting 52 percent from the field, just better than the visitors 39 percent.

After an aggressively played 20 minutes, the Maroon and White took a one-point lead into the half. In the opening period, A&M tallied six blocks, grabbed two steals and forced four Delta Devil turnovers.

Brandon Ellis led the Bulldogs scoring efforts with seven first half points.

The Bulldogs and Delta Devils continued their battle into the final half of play. Intensity stayed high from both teams, as each looked to get a win on the night. The Maroon and White played with a great will to win, and their effort paid off.

"We were 15-31 from the free throw line and that is not a good percentage," mentioned head coach Willie Hayes. "When you miss that many free throws you allow your opponent to stay in the contest and you just can't pull away."

The game remained close until the Bulldogs gained their final lead, which they would not relinquish at the 7:32 mark. Valley tried valiantly to tilt the score in their favor however they could not. The Maroon & White was able to withstand every attempt Valley could throw at them.

"Tonight we did a great job; we didn't turn the ball over much (seven times in comparison with 14 versus UAPB). G. A Hill did a great job coming off the bench, he had 13 points and eight rebounds along with a steal, two assists and no turnovers," coach Hayes commented.

"Without our starting point guard, Jeremy Crutcher (ankle), G. A. Hill along with the freshman Rakiya Battle stepped up and played well. Battle played valuable minutes, he had three early turnovers, but once he settled down late in the game he was the one handling the ball," Hayes continued.

A&M improves to 6-8 on the year and 3-1 in league play after the 68-59 victory.

"Everybody rebounded, once we do that and everybody contributes that gives a lot. That was a huge part of our success tonight," said Hayes.

Hill finished the game with 13 points and eight rebounds while Arthur Capers produced 12 points and four boards coming off the bench.

Valley was led by Anthony McDonald with 14 points and three rebounds.

Next up the Bulldogs will venture down I-65 to face in-state rival Alabama State on Saturday, January 18, at 5:00 p.m.

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