Not having its leading scorer Monday night didn’t stop the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from setting a new season-high in points.
UAPB defeated Ecclesia College 125-75 at H.O. Clemmons Arena in the Golden Lions’ final nonconference game despite guard Kylen Milton missing his second-straight game with a nagging injury.
UAPB (5-8) shot 64.6% from the field and made 21 shots from 3-point range, a new season high. The Golden Lions finished the game with 33 assists on 42 made shots, which guard Joe French said was a big reason UAPB performed so well offensively.
“We didn’t play very much one-on-one basketball,” French said. “We drove the gap, kicked it out to the open man. Everybody really just did their job and played for each other.”
French scored 34 points, a new season high for him, and collected seven rebounds. Rashad Williams scored 23 points.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Two Golden Lions finished with double-doubles, and a third came close. Lonnell Martin Jr. had 19 points and 10 assists, while Ismael Plet finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Trejon Ware came off the bench and scored 8 points with 11 assists.
Head coach Solomon Bozeman said Ware made a difference.
“His job is to come in, change the game defensively for our team and change the game offensively and push the pace,” Bozeman said. “One of the fastest guards in the country. We already play fast, but when he comes in the game, he just takes it to a whole ‘nother level. He can really get to the rim. He makes people better.”
Bozeman said Milton will be back after Christmas break. He could have played if needed, but UAPB chose to hold him out and let him heal before conference play begins next month.
Ecclesia (3-10) guard Ryan Reed led his team with 31 points.
UAPB started the game with a 7-0 run, but the Royals answered. The Golden Lions led 14-12 at the first media timeout, then pulled away with a 21-2 run.
UAPB led 63-45 at the break with the teams having combined for 18 made 3-pointers. The Golden Lions shot 70% from the field in the first half, while Ecclesia shot 50%.
UAPB’s defense stepped up in the second half and held the Royals to 30 points on 28% shooting. The Golden Lions went on a 16-0 run in the second half as they put the game well beyond any doubt. The Royals’ 5-0 run early in the game was their longest of the night.
French said UAPB played harder in the second half.
“I think that we were flat in the first half,” French said. “At halftime, we had to adjust, and we had to look ourselves in the mirror and make the adjustment and just really play harder. We didn’t change any schemes or anything like that except for a little bit of trapping, but it was basically just our energy was picked up.”