LORMAN &045; Mississippi Valley State head women’s coach Nate Kilbert used to like playing inside the Davey L. Whitney Complex.

But now he may not be fond of it now.

The former

Lady Braves assistant coach brings his Lady Devils to Alcorn Saturday for the first of two home games for the Lady Braves. Kilbert spent 10 years as an assistant to Alcorn head coach Shirley Walker before taking the MVSU job prior to last season.

In his first two games against his former boss, the Lady Braves won. They’ll go for a third one Saturday.

&uot;Valley is playing real well, and he’s really doing a beautiful job,&uot; Walker said of the Delta Devils (5-6, 1-2). &uot;He’s got his people playing well. There’s going to be a lot of ingredients in this game. He’s a fine fellow and a very good coach. He knows me, and I know him. We’re probably both thinking the same thing.&uot;

Possibly about more than one thing. Both teams are in the middle of the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings and looking for a way to climb.

Both are coming into the contest off a loss, but the Lady Braves enter after dropping two on the road last week &045; a hard-fought loss at Jackson State and Monday night at Grambling.

&uot;We’re just trying to put it together,&uot; Walker said. &uot;I feel very confident that they know what happened. After talking to them and going through practice, I told them they have to believe in themselves and also their teammates. I’m hoping in the hours we’ve spent in the gym since we left Grambling that have got their minds to realize they can play with anybody in the conference and believe in themselves.&uot;

Just getting their minds off of what happened in the 71-66 loss to Grambling. The Lady Braves could moved up near the top of the standing heading into the two-game homestand with a win over the Lady Tigers, but it didn’t happen.

The culprit?

&uot;Turnovers,&uot; Walker said, &uot;and one of our big people missed a lot of easy shots. And turnovers. I always tell them if the ball is not going through basket there’s no excuse for you not to hustle on defense. We missed some assignments.&uot;

The Lady Braves could use some momentum with the home swing before taking another sizeable road trip next week. Alcorn finishes up the homestand Monday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and will travel to Alabama A&M and first-place Alabama State next week.

And going by the whole win-at-home-and-split-on-the-road championship formula, the Lady Braves could use a couple wins this weekend.

Valley comes into the contest with a team similar to Alcorn &045; quick on the perimeter and decent size underneath. Alcorn may have the advantage inside with Tnonealyer and Candace Roberts (Valley is last in the league in rebounding), but Valley is second in the league in steals.

&uot;This is one of the biggest weekends we’re going to have,&uot; Walker said. &uot;None of this will be easy through March. Saturday is going to be big, and Monday is going to be big. There is no time to rest thinking you’ve got an easy job. You’ve got to go out there and play.&uot;