Preview: Mississippi Valley State at Alabama State MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — A struggling Mississippi Valley State team seeks to end a lengthy skid when it visits Alabama State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup Monday at Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Delta Devils (1-24, 1-11 SWAC) enter on a 10-game losing streak following a 72-65 defeat at Alabama A&M on Saturday. Their lone win this season came against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Jan. 3. Alabama State (8-16, 6-6) snapped a three-game slide with a 79-61 home victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. Mississippi Valley State will rely heavily on guard Michael James, who has been a consistent scoring threat amid the team’s difficulties. James is averaging 24.1 points over his last seven games, including a 32-point performance against Jackson State on Feb. 7. He scored 21 points in the loss to Alabama A&M. The Hornets counter with forward Jerquarius Stanback, who is coming off a strong performance. Stanback posted 19 points and six rebounds in the win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He has scored in double figures in five of his last eight contests and provides a defensive presence, recording multiple blocks in three games during that span. Alabama State won the first meeting this season decisively, 89-69, in Itta Bena on Jan. 3. In that game, the Hornets shot 50.7% from the field and forced 17 Delta Devils turnovers. The Delta Devils rank last in the SWAC in scoring margin, being outscored by an average of 17.5 points per game in conference play. Alabama State has been more competitive in SWAC games, with a scoring margin of minus-1.8 points. Monday’s contest is the first of two road games this week for Mississippi Valley State, which visits Prairie View on Thursday. Alabama State begins a two-game road trip on Thursday with games at Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST.