ITTA BENA, Miss. – The W men's basketball team took its initial steps in preparation for the 2024-25 season, losing what was an exhibition bout for them versus NCAA Division I Mississippi Valley State University, 66-49. As might have been expected, the Delta Devils (1-1) barreled out to a 39-17 lead against the NCAA III Owls, only to be outscored by MUW in the second half (32-27).
 
While MVSU led wire-to-wire, The W was still able to glean several positives from its initial venture into competition for 2024-25. One of the first things to jump off of the stat sheet was the Owls making 7-of-8 free throws (88 percent), a hopeful sign for a team that connected on just 58 percent from the charity stripe last season.
 
MUW also matched the taller and deeper Delta Devils in total rebounds, with each team grabbing 30 caroms. The Owls held 10-3 margin on the offensive glass.
 
Lastly, The W committed just 10 turnovers, while forcing 13 miscues by MVSU. MUW converted those Delta Devil turnovers into 11 points, as well.
 
Newcomer Trent Walker – a junior transfer from MUW's pipeline through Hagerstown (Md.) Community College – led his team in scoring with 12 points. The 6-foot-4 guard connected on 5-of-12 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers. He also ha8led in four rebounds and dished off three assists.
 
 Fifth-year senior Chris Evans chipped in nine points and junior forward Tyson Smithey added eight point. Fellow junior and returner Josh Dukes tallied seven points.
 
Sophomore transfer James Dukes, freshman Pacey Mathews and fifth-year senior Dariun Doss all matched Walker with four boards, apiece. Mathews had a team-high four assists, as well.
 
"With this literally being the first opportunity for this group to go against someone else, we did a lot of good job settling down after some from a sloppy start to the game," MUW Hed Coach Dean Burrow surmised.  "You could see our guys trying to still figure one another out, thus timing being off on the offensive end and we are running a completely different system of offense from what we've done in the past.
 
"Early on, I thought we did truly get some good looks. But again, the opportunity to compete against a D1 program in a game that doesn't go on our record is a no brainer and one we will always try and do for our guys."
 
The Owls will get another of those chances to play up a couple of divisions this coming Saturday (3 p.m.) with another exhibition contest at NCAA I Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.