ITTA BENA, Miss. -- On an ice-cold night, Southern University Jaguars' hot start quickly fizzled and became a dogfight, giving the winless Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State confidence and a once dormant crowd energy after a MVSU's Jordan Evans layup with 2.7 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime.
But Southern's senior forward Jared Sam scored seven of his team-high 20 points in overtime to lead the Jaguars past Mississippi Valley State 78-70 at the R.W. Harrison Complex.
Emmanual Sheperd recorded a season high 17 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.Jamar Sandifer recorded his first double scoring 15 points and a season high 12 rebounds.
Southern jumped out to an early 19-6 lead cemented on a Jamar Sandifer lay-up with nine minutes to go in the first half.
Mississippi Valley's Jordan Evan sank a three-pointer and was fouled in the process, adding a free throw shot to spark a 23-10 run over the next six minutes, to tie the game at 29 apiece with three minutes left in the half. Evan scored nine of his game 42 points during that run. Both squads would trade baskets to go into intermission tied at 33.
The second half was a battle, with the home team keeping the advantage throughout. Southern kept the Delta Devils within striking distance, not allowing MVSU lead past five. Southern's Jared Sam tied the game for the eighth time with two minutes left in regulation 59-59. A missed Mississippi Valley 3-pointer, Sam scored on a lay-up to take a 61-59 lead with a minute left. The Delta Devils were able to score with two seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Sam scored five straight points to open overtime play, Jamar Sandifer added to the lead on a mid-range jumper from the wing to take a 68-61 lead with three and half minutes left in overtime. The seven-zero run was to much for MVSU to overcome as the Jaguars was able to hold on to a 78-70 victory to secure their first road victory of the season.
The Jaguars return to the F.G. Clark Activity Center to face Alabama State Jan. 20 for a 5:30 pm tilt.
