Men's Basketball Holds Off Hannibal-LaGrange for Home Win

Marshall, Mo. (Nov. 4, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College men's and women's basketball teams hosted Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) in a non-conference doubleheader inside the Burns Athletic Complex Tuesday evening.  The Viking women's team pulled away from the Trojans in a 90-41 win.  The men's team built a double-digit lead, then held on for a 67-65 victory.

Scoring in the men's game began with five early points from Hannibal-LaGrange to put Missouri Valley in an early deficit.  Junior Devin Davenport (Milwaukee, Wisc.) made a three-pointer for the first points of the contest for MVC, nearly three minutes into play, then added a jumper, and a fast-break layup off a steal to tie the teams at 7-7 near the 15-minute mark.  The Trojans went back on top, at 12-9, while a three-pointer shot from Senior Antwon Ferrell (Newman, Ga.) tied the contest at 12-12 just over two minutes later.  The Vikings eventually took their first lead of the game near the midway point of the half, as Ferrell added a jump shot to make it 16-14.  The two teams traded points over the next several minutes, as MVC used a pair of layups from Junior Ryan Lewis (Fontana, Calif.) and basket from Junior Cael Simpson (Gold Coast, Australia) to help keep the teams tied at 22-22 with just over seven minutes to play in the half.  Missouri Valley responded with a quick 8-0 run, as Sophomore Darrin Thompson (Huntsville, Ala.) had a layup, followed by three-pointers by Junior Anthony Leath (Nashville, Tenn.) and Ferrell to give MVC a 30-22 advantage near the five-minute mark.  Hannibal-LaGrange cut its deficit down to 33-29 over the next two minutes, but a Lewis dunk and two made free throws from Davenport made it a 37-30 score as the half neared two minutes remaining.  The final seven points of play before the break were scored by MVC, as Thompson made a three-pointer, and Junior Keanu Patrick (Biloxi, Miss.) added four points, including a dunk in the final moments to give the team a double-digit lead at halftime, 44-33.

Missouri Valley added to its lead at the start of the second half, as a pair of made field goals from Davenport and two free throws by Ferrell pushed the advantage out to 50-35 with three minutes played.  The Trojans worked back to a 50-40 score moments later, but three points from Thompson helped keep the gap at double-digits, 53-43 at the 13-minute mark.  Missouri Valley went scoreless over the next five minutes, until a Thompson jumper gave the team a 55-47 lead with under eight minutes remaining in the game.  Hannibal-LaGrange began to chip away at its deficit, and eventually trailed, 58-55, with four minutes on the clock.  Davenport responded with a field goal, and Ferrell added a jumper to make it a 62-58 score at the three-minute mark.  Two made free throws from Davenport gave MVC a 64-58 advantage moments later, and Ferrell sank another pair of free throws with one minute remaining to help the team hold a 66-60 lead.  The Vikings missed four free throws late in the game, and HLGU eventually sat in a 66-65 deficit in the final seconds.  Davenport added one more free throw, and a last-second three-pointer by Hannibal-LaGrange from midcourt hit off the rim, as Missouri Valley held on for a 67-65 win.

Davenport led with 20 points, while Ferrell had 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.  Thompson came off the bench to score 12 points and add four rebounds.  The Vikings blocked six shots and forced nine turnovers while keeping the Trojans to just 35-percent from the floor.  Missouri Valley shot over 52-percent in the game.

Missouri Valley improves to 2-1, while Hannibal-LaGrange drops to 2-1.

Up next, the Viking women's basketball team will play at the Benedictine Classic in Atchison, Kan., this weekend.  The first game will be Friday at 5:30 p.m., against Southwestern Christian (Okla.).  The men's team will next be in action Saturday at 4 p.m., at Manhattan Christian (Kan.).

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About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.