MVSU Falls to Tulane in NIT Opening Round
New Orleans - Mississippi Valley State saw their season come to an end in a wild game at Tulane. The Devilettes came up short 68-61 in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). MVSU ended their season with a record of 18-14.
De'Kisha Fondon led the Devilettes with 15 points. She made 6-of-11 fieldgoals, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Alia Frank and Ka''Neshia Smith each finished with 12 points. Smith also had nine rebounds.
Danielle Blagg paced Tulane with a game-high 18 points and five rebounds. Olivia Grayson added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Brett Benzio tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds and Tiffany Dale chipped in 12 points.
MVSU led 38-35 after trailing big in the first half. Tulane jumped out to a 17-5 lead. However, the Devilettes went on an 11-0 run to quickly close the gap at 17-16 with 9:40 left. But, Tulane scored six unanswered to push their lead back up to 23-16.
MVSU rallied again outscoring the Green Wave 11-3 to take their first lead of the game. Fondon drilled a 3-pointer to give the Devilettes a 27-26 lead with 4:29 remaining.
The Devilettes led by as much as five, but Tulane came back to tie the game at 35-all with 1:04 left. Brittany Lakes gave MVSU the halftime lead with a 3-pointer with 34 seconds left.
The score was tied at 47 with 9:06 left when Tulane went on a 10-0 run to take a 57-47 lead with 6:28 left. It would prove to be the knockout blow as MVSU wouldn't be able to mount another comeback. The Devilettes would come no closer than six points the rest of the way.
