Mississippi Valley State Edges Arkansas-Pine Bluff 70-69
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 6:30 PM ET · H.O. Clemmons Arena
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 70, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 69, 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 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions?
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 70-69 at H.O. Clemmons Arena on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions?
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1200 (about 92% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils triumphed over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions with a final score of 70-69. This victory is particularly noteworthy as it marks only the third win of the season for Mississippi Valley State, who have struggled throughout with a record of 3-27. In contrast, Arkansas-Pine Bluff's season record stands at 12-17, showcasing a more competitive campaign.
The game took place at H.O. Clemmons Arena on February 28, 2026, and was characterized by a back-and-forth battle, reflecting both teams' recent forms. Arkansas-Pine Bluff entered the game with a 6-4 record over their last ten outings, including a recent win against Prairie View A&M Panthers, where they scored 84 points. However, they have also faced challenges, allowing an average of 76.1 points per game during this stretch. The Golden Lions had a home record of 3-2 in their last five games, averaging 72.6 points scored and 77.8 points allowed.
On the other hand, Mississippi Valley State's recent form has been less favorable, with a record of 1-9 in their last ten games. They managed a narrow victory against Texas Southern Tigers but have struggled to maintain consistent scoring, averaging only 65.0 points per game while allowing 78.1 points. Their away record is particularly concerning, standing at 0-4, which adds to the significance of this win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The two teams have met three times in the current season, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff winning two of those encounters. Their previous meeting on January 31, 2026, ended with Arkansas-Pine Bluff winning 78-70. This history added a layer of intrigue to the matchup, as Mississippi Valley State sought to turn the tide.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but such factors can often play a crucial role in the outcome of games. The absence of key players can significantly impact a team's performance, particularly in tight matchups like this one.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Arkansas-Pine Bluff favored by 14.5 points, with a moneyline of -1200 for the home team and +750 for the away team. The total points line was set at 147.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring game. However, the actual outcome reflected a much tighter contest than anticipated, highlighting the unpredictability of college basketball.
The game conditions were typical for late February, with players likely dealing with the usual challenges of fatigue as the season nears its conclusion. Fans and viewers were treated to a game that showcased resilience and determination from both sides, with Mississippi Valley State ultimately executing better in the crucial moments.
Key moments included X'Zaevion Barnett's free throws that pushed the Delta Devils' lead to 68-62, followed by a series of scoring plays that kept the game within reach for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Despite their efforts, the Golden Lions could not reclaim the lead, ultimately falling short as the clock wound down.
Overall, this game was a testament to the unpredictability of college basketball, where even the underdogs can rise to the occasion and secure a hard-fought victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UAPB -14.5 | 147.5 o -115 / u -105 | Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils +750 · Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions -1200 |
Leaders
- PointsJaquan Scott26Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- AssistsQuion Williams4Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- ReboundsQuion Williams12Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- PointsMichael James21Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
- AssistsX'Zaevion Barnett4Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
- ReboundsX'Zaevion Barnett9Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Recent form
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Last 10: 6-4Streak W174.9 scored · 76.1 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W84-82vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 21
- L64-83vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 20
- L70-82at Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 17
- L61-79at Alabama State HornetsFeb 14
- W84-63vs Jackson State TigersFeb 9
- W84-77vs Alcorn State BravesFeb 7
- W67-64at Grambling TigersFeb 5
- W78-70at Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsJan 31
- W75-74at Southern JaguarsJan 24
- L82-87vs Bethune-Cookman WildcatsJan 19
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Last 10: 1-9Streak L165 scored · 78.1 allowed per game0-4 away
- L62-83at Grambling TigersFeb 24
- W72-71vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 22
- L62-72vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 20
- L55-92at Alabama State HornetsFeb 17
- L65-72at Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 14
- L66-74vs Alcorn State BravesFeb 10
- L81-97vs Jackson State TigersFeb 7
- L70-78vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsJan 31
- L69-80at Southern JaguarsJan 28
- L48-62vs Florida A&M RattlersJan 20
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 | Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils | Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-58 | 22-55 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 5-17 | 4-21 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 19 |
| Free throws | 11-15 | 21-30 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 22 |
| Assists | 13 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 11 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 19 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 28 |
| Fouls | 23 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 36 | 55 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half37-41Xzayvion Childress makes layup (Michael James assists)
- 2nd Half37-43Quion Williams makes 13-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half39-43Michael James makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half40-43Tyrone Iroghama makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-43Xzayvion Childress makes 29-foot three point jumper (Patrick Punch assists)
- 2nd Half43-44Jaquan Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-45Jaquan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-47Quion Williams makes 16-foot jumper (Milhan Charles assists)
- 2nd Half45-47Daniel Mayfield makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half47-47Michael James makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half47-49Quion Williams makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half48-49Patrick Punch makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-49Patrick Punch makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-49Michael James makes 23-foot three point jumper (Xzayvion Childress assists)
- 2nd Half54-49Michael James makes layup (Xzayvion Childress assists)
- 2nd Half56-49Daniel Mayfield makes 4-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half58-49Daniel Mayfield makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half58-50Quion Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-50Daniel Mayfield makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half60-51Jaquan Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-52Jaquan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-54Trevon Payton makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-54Mussa Mzein makes layup (X'Zaevion Barnett assists)
- 2nd Half62-55Jaquan Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-56Jaquan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-56Daniel Mayfield makes 14-foot jumper (X'Zaevion Barnett assists)
- 2nd Half64-58Milhan Charles makes layup (Quion Williams assists)
- 2nd Half64-59Milhan Charles makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half64-60Milhan Charles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-60Daniel Mayfield makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half66-61Milhan Charles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-62Milhan Charles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-62X'Zaevion Barnett makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-62X'Zaevion Barnett makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-64Jaquan Scott makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half68-66Quion Williams makes layup (Alex Mirhosseini assists)
- 2nd Half70-66Patrick Punch makes layup (X'Zaevion Barnett assists)
- 2nd Half70-67Jaquan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-68Alex Mirhosseini makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half70-69Alex Mirhosseini makes free throw 2 of 3
Win probability
Above the line favours Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, below favours Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.
Venue
- H.O. Clemmons ArenaPine Bluff, AR
- Attendance3151
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond