Freelove scores 16, Alabama State edges Mississippi Valley State 69-65
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Joshua Freelove scored 16 points and Phillip Crawford added 15 to lift Alabama State over Mississippi Valley State 69-65 Tuesday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup.
Shawntez Patterson chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds while Freelove and Crawford pulled down six boards apiece for Alabama State, which held a 39-23 advantage on the glass.
Alabama State (5-12, 3-1) made 15 of 30 shots in the first half en route to a 35-24 lead at intermission. Mississippi Valley State outscored Alabama State 41-34 in the second half but fell just short of the comeback. The Delta Devils made just 13 of 18 free throws, which proved to be the difference.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Hornets outscored MVSU (1-12, 1-2) 42-18 in the paint and turned 15 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points.
Davon Usher led MVSU with 27 points and 10 rebounds but was the lone Delta Devil in double figures.