Preview: Mississippi Valley State at Southern Women’s Basketball

BATON ROUGE, La. (Interstat) — A pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s basketball teams on opposite trajectories will meet Thursday when the Southern Lady Jaguars host the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes at Clark Activity Center.

Southern (8-8, 4-1 SWAC) enters the contest at .500 overall but has won four of its last five games, including a convincing 60-43 road victory at rival Grambling on Saturday. The Lady Jaguars’ conference success has been built on defense, holding SWAC opponents to an average of 52.6 points per game.

Mississippi Valley State (4-13, 3-2) has struggled outside of league play but has shown resilience within the conference, most recently snapping a two-game skid with a 64-55 home win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. The Devilettes’ conference record keeps them in the early-season mix.

A key matchup will feature two of the SWAC’s recent standout performers. Southern will rely on forward Demya Porter, who is coming off a 16-point, 2-block performance against Grambling. Over her last five games, Porter is averaging 11.4 points and has been a consistent interior presence.

For the Devilettes, guard Sydnei Marshall has been a catalyst, scoring in double figures in four of her last five outings. She posted a well-rounded line of 10 points, 4 assists and 2 blocks in the win over Bethune-Cookman and scored 15 points in two other recent conference games.

Southern’s balanced attack saw Jestiny Dixon and Olivia Delancy join Porter in double figures against Grambling, with 11 points apiece. Mississippi Valley State received a team-high 17 points from Ariel Jefferson and 11 points and 5 assists from Jaeda Murphy in its latest win.

Historically, Southern has dominated the series, winning the last 11 meetings. The Lady Jaguars will look to continue that streak and solidify their position near the top of the SWAC standings. The Devilettes aim to prove their conference start is no fluke and secure a program-defining road victory.

Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Baton Rouge. Southern hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, while Mississippi Valley State travels to face Grambling.