AVALON, Miss. (Interstat) — Milhan Charles scored 22 points and Arkansas-Pine Bluff withstood a second-half surge from Mississippi Valley State to secure a 78-70 victory in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the LeFlore County Civic Center.

The Golden Lions (8-13, 5-3 SWAC) built a commanding early lead, holding the Delta Devils to just 24 points in the first half while taking a six-point advantage into the break. The game turned into a tense affair after halftime, however, as Mississippi Valley State (1-21, 1-7) found its offensive rhythm and repeatedly cut into the deficit.

The most critical sequence came late in the second half with Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s lead trimmed to single digits. After a Michael James jumper pulled the Delta Devils within 70-66 with just over a minute remaining, the Golden Lions executed a decisive play. On the ensuing possession, Charles drove and finished a layup off an assist from Quion Williams with 57 seconds left, pushing the lead back to six and halting Mississippi Valley State’s momentum. The Delta Devils would get no closer than five points the rest of the way as Arkansas-Pine Bluff closed the game at the free-throw line.

Charles, a 6-foot-7 junior from Bristol, Connecticut, added eight rebounds and five assists to his team-high scoring output. Williams, a sophomore from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was instrumental with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jaquan Scott contributed 11 points and six rebounds for the Golden Lions.

Mississippi Valley State was led by a game-high 25 points from Michael James of Byhalia, Mississippi. The 6-foot-1 guard also dished out four assists. Daniel Mayfield added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Xzayvion Childress filled the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds and six assists.

The game was largely decided in the first 20 minutes and at the three-point line. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s early defensive pressure forced the Delta Devils into 10 first-half turnovers and held them to 2-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc for the game. The Golden Lions connected on 6 of 15 three-point attempts, with Alex Mirhosseini hitting three of them en route to 11 points.

Despite the loss, Mississippi Valley State showed significant fight after intermission, outscoring Arkansas-Pine Bluff 46-48 in the second half. The Delta Devils shot a higher percentage from the field overall, 47.9% to 45.3%, but were hampered by 15 turnovers and a minus-4 margin on the offensive glass.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which entered the game with an 81.4% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, has now won two of its last three conference games. The Golden Lions travel to face Alabama State on Feb. 14.

Mississippi Valley State, which has lost five straight, hosts Jackson State on Feb. 7.

The announced attendance was 1,078. The combined point total of 148 surpassed the over/under line of 143.5.