LORMAN, Miss. (AP) _ Corey Holmes ran for 237 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mississippi Valley State to a 30-26 victory over in-state rival Alcorn State on Saturday.

Mississippi Valley (3-7, 1-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference), who has won three straight games after opening the season with seven consecutive loses, built a 24-7 lead at the half.

Marcus Taylor threw three touchdown passes in the second half to cut into the Delta Devils' advantage. Alcorn State (3-5, 1-1), who has lost three straight games, cut the lead to 30-26 with 1:42 remaining on Taylor's 10-yard pass to Marco Walder

But the Braves could not get the ball back after the score. The loss dashed any hope of Alcorn winning the SWAC's Eastern Division.

Alcorn had a 7-0 lead in the opening minute of the game on Taylor's 13-yard touchdown pass to Walder.

But Holmes rushed for 156 yards in the first half and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 11:20 remaining in the first quarter bringing the Delta Devils to within 7-6.

Holmes' 22-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second quarter put Valley ahead 12-7 with 14:48 to play in the half.

Melvin Williams then took over with two touchdown passes in the quarter, a 57-yard throw to Terrell Adams and 42-yard pass to John Wilson to give the Delta Devils the 24-7 lead at the half.

Alcorn State had 463 total yards but only four yards rushing.

The Braves play their season finale at Jackson State, which is 3-0 in the SWAC Eastern Division games with no more to play until Alcorn State.