Preview: Mississippi Valley State Devilettes at Alabama State Lady Hornets MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — The Alabama State women’s basketball team looks to rebound from a weekend loss and complete a season sweep when it hosts struggling Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup Thursday at Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Lady Hornets (10-12 overall) have won five of their last seven games but are coming off a 67-53 road loss at Grambling on Saturday. Alabama State previously handled Mississippi Valley State with ease, securing an 83-50 victory in Itta Bena on Jan. 3. Alabama State will rely on the scoring of guard Caylee Simpson, who is coming off a 19-point performance in the loss to Grambling. Simpson has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 12.2 points per game over her last six contests, including a 21-point outing in a win at Texas Southern on Jan. 22. Mississippi Valley State (4-17) enters on a five-game losing streak, most recently falling 64-50 to Jackson State on Saturday. The Devilettes’ last win came on Jan. 17 against Bethune-Cookman. Guard Sydnei Marshall has been a bright spot for the Devilettes during their skid. She scored 18 points in a narrow 75-72 loss to Alcorn State on Feb. 5 and added 14 points against Jackson State. Marshall will need a strong performance for Mississippi Valley State to keep pace. Since the calendar turned to 2026, Alabama State has found more consistent form in conference play, while Mississippi Valley State has struggled to close out games, with three of its last five losses coming by six points or fewer. Defense will be a key factor. Alabama State held the Devilettes to 50 points in the first meeting and has allowed an average of just 60.2 points in its last five wins. Mississippi Valley State, which allows an average of 71.9 points per game, must find a way to contain Simpson and the Lady Hornets’ balanced attack to break its streak. Tipoff is set for Thursday night in Montgomery. Alabama State visits Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, while Mississippi Valley State travels to face Alabama A&M.