ITTA BENA &8212; Alcorn State stepped to the free-throw line eight times in the final minute of regulation on Saturday night.

The Lady Braves missed seven of them.

Those seven missed free throws allowed Mississippi Valley State to force overtime by scoring six points in the final 39.4 seconds, and Alcorn missed five more free throws in overtime.

The Devilettes, meanwhiile, made six of seven free throws in overtime and escaped with a 74-71 victory over Alcorn.

&8220;The free throws in the last minute just killed us,&8221; Alcorn coach Shirley Walker said. &8220;I think that just goes back to the fact that we didn&8217;t have enough gas.&8221;

Alcorn played without starting guards Tanika Nunez and Natasha Dennis, leaving Walker with a short bench.

Five Alcorn players played at least 36 minutes, with Rasaan Powell playing all 45.

&8220;We played good in spots, but we played bad overall,&8221; Walker said. &8220;If we could get something from the bench, I think we could have pulled it out. I think we just ran out of gas.&8221;

Alcorn has now lost three straight, all going down to the final seconds, and for the third straight game Alcorn couldn&8217;t make a decisive play in the waning moments.

Kenisha Daniels, Precious Sheats and Latoya Wily missed two free throws apiece in the final minute, and freshman Britany Myatt hit one of two with 16 seconds left to give Alcorn a 64-62 lead.

Mississippi Valley&8217;s Karmethia Mazique &8212; a Natchez native &8212; hit a short jumper in the lane with 8.1 seconds to go in regulation to tie the game at 64 and force overtime.