Texas Southern delivered a resounding 84-51 victory over Mississippi Valley State at H&PE Arena, with Zytarious Mortle stealing the show. Mortle's impressive performance, which included 22 points and 6 rebounds, set the tone for the Tigers' dominant win. The margin of 33 points was a reflection of Texas Southern's superiority on the night.
From the outset, Texas Southern asserted its control, taking a 41-24 lead into halftime. The Tigers' offense was clicking, with Mortle and Bryce Roberts, who scored 15 points, leading the charge. Mississippi Valley State, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm, with Patrick Punch's 18 points being a rare bright spot for the Delta Devils.
In the second half, Texas Southern continued to pull away, outscoring Mississippi Valley State 43-27. Zaire Hayes chipped in with 12 points for the Tigers, while Mussa Mzein's 12 points and 10 rebounds were not enough to spark a comeback for the Delta Devils. Chance Sutton added 10 points and 5 rebounds for Mississippi Valley State, but it was a night to forget for the visitors.
The win improves Texas Southern's record to 5-13, while Mississippi Valley State falls to 1-19. While neither team is likely to make a deep postseason run, the victory is a welcome boost for the Tigers. Mortle's performance, in particular, will be a confidence-builder for the sophomore forward.
This game was always expected to be a mismatch, given the significant disparity in the teams' net rankings. Texas Southern, ranked 344th, was heavily favored against Mississippi Valley State, which sits at the bottom of the rankings at 365th. The final scoreline was no surprise, but the manner in which Texas Southern dominated was impressive.
In terms of resume implications, this result will do little to enhance Texas Southern's tournament chances. As a Quadrant 4 win, it will not carry much weight when the selection committee evaluates the Tigers' credentials. Similarly, the loss will not hurt Mississippi Valley State's already slim postseason hopes, as it was also a Quadrant 4 game for the Delta Devils. However, for Texas Southern, the win will help to bolster its overall record and provide a much-needed morale boost as it navigates the rest of its schedule.