Paul Crosby had 15 points and 10 rebounds and regular-season conference champion MVSU barely held off Jackson State 63-60 in the SWAC tournament quarterfinals Wednesday night.
Cor-J Cox added 12 points and five steals for MVSU (19-12). His dunk with 11 1/2 minutes remaining put the Delta Devils ahead to stay at 45-44, as part of an 11-0 run.
But eighth-seeded Jackson State (7-24) was only down 61-60 after Kelsey Howard scored with 34 seconds to play. Brent Arrington made two free throws for MVSU with 25 seconds left and the Tigers missed twice from long range with a chance to tie.
Howard led Jackson State with 16 points. Christian Williams and Keeslee Stewart each scored 10 for the Tigers. Arrington had eight points and six steals for MVSU.
The top-seeded Delta Devils advance to Friday night's semifinals against the winner of Thursday's game between Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
