MVSU flexes their muscles on DSU

GREENVILLE — The Delta State and Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball teams closed out the exhibition portion of their schedules Monday night at the Washington County Convention Center.
MVSU used a strong second half effort to put away the Statesmen 90-72 in the 30th meeting between the rival programs. The two squads last met on December 1, 2003, with MVSU holding on for a 64-61 victory in Itta Bena.
With the victory, MVSU holds a 15-14 series lead over DSU.
Through two quarters, the two teams looked to be on the same page, with the Statesmen holding a 37-35 halftime lead.
DSU’s Chris Poellnitz caught fire in the first half, scoring 16 first half points while knocking down 2-of-4 from the arc.
But MVSU’s fast-paced offense blew by DSU in the second half with Orlando Smith, Jason Holmes and Mississippi Delta Community College transfer Falando Jones taking over the game.
MVSU shot 59 percent from the floor in the second half compared to DSU’s 41.4 percent.
Smith led MVSU with 18 points while Jones and Holmes added 17 points each.
DSU was led by Central Arkansas transfer Poellnitz, who had 25 points. Jamarkus Holt added 18 points while Arian Maliqi and Marqueys Brown put up 10 each.
DSU, who lost both of their exhibition games, begins regular season play Friday when they travel to Valdosta, Ga. to compete in the SSC/GSC Classic against Rolins College at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, MVSU, who won both of their pre-season games, will tip-off their season Friday on the road at Georgia.