NCAAB · Final

Bethune-Cookman Defeats Mississippi Valley State 79-63

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils1-18

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 6:30 PM ET · R.W. Harrison HPER Complex

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 79, Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 63, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils?

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats beat Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 79-63 at R.W. Harrison HPER Complex on January 17, 2026.

Who was favored in Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils?

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1650 (about 94% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats secured a 79-63 victory over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex. This game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams, with Bethune-Cookman improving their record to 7-11 while Mississippi Valley State fell to 1-19.

The Wildcats entered the game with a recent record of 3-7 over their last ten outings, averaging 68.5 points scored and allowing 84.9 points per game. Their last game ended in a loss against the Southern Jaguars, where they fell short with a score of 73-77. Prior to that, they had secured victories against Grambling Tigers and Florida A&M Rattlers, showcasing their ability to compete despite a challenging season.

Conversely, Mississippi Valley State has struggled significantly, now on a ten-game losing streak, with a record of 0-10 in their last ten games. They have averaged just 57.4 points scored while allowing an alarming 85.1 points per game during this stretch. Their most recent game resulted in a loss to the Texas Southern Tigers, where they were defeated 51-84. The Delta Devils' struggles have been evident both at home and on the road, as they have not won any of their last five games, with their home record standing at 0-3.

The Wildcats had previously faced the Delta Devils in the 2025 season, where they won decisively with a score of 83-58. This prior meeting set the stage for Bethune-Cookman to enter the game with confidence, knowing they had already bested their opponents earlier in the season.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either roster, which meant both teams were likely fielding their strongest lineups for this important matchup. The absence of injuries can often play a crucial role in a team's performance, allowing for better cohesion and execution on the court.

The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that Bethune-Cookman was favored by 16.5 points, with a total over/under set at 144.5. The odds reflected the perceived disparity in team performance, with the Wildcats being priced at -1650 on the moneyline, while Mississippi Valley State was at +950.

As the game unfolded, Bethune-Cookman took control early, leveraging their offensive capabilities. The scoring plays featured key contributions from players like Michael James, who made significant shots including a 27-foot three-point jumper and a step-back jumpshot that helped maintain their lead. David Onanina also made a notable impact with several layups, further extending the Wildcats' advantage.

Mississippi Valley State fought hard but struggled to keep pace with the Wildcats, particularly in the second half. Their scoring, while showing some moments of promise, was not enough to overcome the deficit created by Bethune-Cookman's offensive efficiency. The Delta Devils managed to score 63 points, but their defensive lapses allowed the Wildcats to pull away and secure the win.

Overall, this matchup served as a clear indicator of the current state of both programs, with Bethune-Cookman showcasing their potential to compete effectively, while Mississippi Valley State continues to seek answers to their ongoing struggles.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BCU -16.5	144.5 o -110 / u -110	Bethune-Cookman Wildcats -1650 · Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils +950

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsMichael James34Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
AssistsMichael James4Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
ReboundsChance Sutton6Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
PointsJakobi Heady23Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
AssistsArterio Morris6Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
ReboundsJakobi Heady5Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Recent form

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Last 10: 0-10Streak L1057.4 scored · 85.1 allowed per game0-3 at home

L51-84at Texas Southern TigersJan 13
L69-70at Prairie View A&M PanthersJan 10
L51-71vs Alabama A&M BulldogsJan 6
L69-89vs Alabama State HornetsJan 3
L69-93at Oklahoma SoonersDec 30
L51-86at West Virginia MountaineersDec 23
L49-96at Florida State SeminolesDec 20
L64-88vs Tarleton State TexansDec 17
L49-108at Kansas State WildcatsDec 9
L52-66at UL Monroe WarhawksDec 4

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Last 10: 3-7Streak L168.5 scored · 84.9 allowed per game0-5 away

L73-77vs Southern JaguarsJan 13
W74-65vs Grambling TigersJan 10
W87-83vs Florida A&M RattlersJan 3
L77-103at Oklahoma State CowboysDec 30
L71-107at Arizona WildcatsDec 23
L53-112at Saint Louis BillikensDec 18
L60-82at Missouri TigersDec 14
W80-59vs South Carolina State BulldogsDec 6
L56-100at Indiana HoosiersNov 29
L54-61vs Stony Brook SeawolvesNov 25

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Bethune-Cookman	17-15	-	14-4
Southern	17-17	3	11-7
Florida A&M	15-16	3	11-7
Alabama A&M	18-15	4	10-8
Arkansas-Pine Bluff	13-19	4	10-8
Texas Southern	12-18	4	10-8
Jackson State	12-21	4	10-8
Prairie View A&M	19-18	5	9-9
Grambling	14-19	7	7-11
Alabama State	10-22	7	7-11
Alcorn State	9-23	7	7-11
Mississippi Valley State	3-30	12	2-16

Box score

Stat	Bethune-Cookman Wildcats	Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Field goals	28-48	21-57
Field goal %	58	37
Three-pointers	11-20	7-22
Three-point %	55	32
Free throws	12-19	14-23
Free throw %	63	61
Rebounds	33	17
Offensive rebounds	8	4
Defensive rebounds	25	13
Assists	21	12
Steals	4	10
Blocks	6	1
Turnovers	14	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	9
Fast-break points	17	9
Points in the paint	26	16
Fouls	19	18
Largest lead	20	1
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	96	1

How the scoring went

2nd Half36-34Michael James makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half36-35X'Zaevion Barnett makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half36-36Michael James makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half36-37Michael James makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half39-37Seneca Willoughby makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jordan Johnson assists)
2nd Half41-37Jakobi Heady makes 15-foot jumper (Seneca Willoughby assists)
2nd Half42-37Jakobi Heady makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-37Jakobi Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-40Patrick Punch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Michael James assists)
2nd Half45-40Tyler Andrews makes 13-foot jumper (Seneca Willoughby assists)
2nd Half46-40Tyler Andrews makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-41X'Zaevion Barnett makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-43team makes layup (Patrick Punch assists)
2nd Half48-43Quentin Heady makes 20-foot jumper (Seneca Willoughby assists)
2nd Half50-43Quentin Heady makes layup (Arterio Morris assists)
2nd Half51-43Arterio Morris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-43Jakobi Heady makes layup (Ariel Bland assists)
2nd Half53-44X'Zaevion Barnett makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-44Jordan Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Arterio Morris assists)
2nd Half58-44Arterio Morris makes 2-foot dunk (Quentin Heady assists)
2nd Half61-44Jakobi Heady makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jordan Johnson assists)
2nd Half62-44Jakobi Heady makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-44Jakobi Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-46Daniel Mayfield makes driving layup
2nd Half66-46Jakobi Heady makes 22-foot three point jumper (Ariel Bland assists)
2nd Half66-49Michael James makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half69-49Jakobi Heady makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half69-51Michael James makes driving layup
2nd Half71-51Doctor Bradley makes layup (Arterio Morris assists)
2nd Half71-52Tyrone Iroghama makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-53Tyrone Iroghama makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-53Doctor Bradley makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half73-54Michael James makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-55Michael James makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-57Patrick Punch makes layup (Michael James assists)
2nd Half75-57David Onanina makes layup
2nd Half75-60Michael James makes 27-foot three point jumper
2nd Half77-60David Onanina makes 7-foot hook shot (Arterio Morris assists)
2nd Half79-60David Onanina makes layup (Arterio Morris assists)
2nd Half79-63Michael James makes 28-foot three point step back jumpshot

Win probability

Above the line favours Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, below favours Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.