Two late free throws got Alabama State to overtime on Saturday, and the Lady Hornets’ free throw shooting led them to their first road win of the season in Pine Bluff.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team fell 68-63 to Alabama State in overtime at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
ASU (6-19, 4-9 SWAC) took a 58-54 lead in the first two minutes of overtime off a layup by guard Amari Franklin and a pull-up jumper by forward Cordasia Harris, forcing UAPB to play from behind.
The rest of overtime was spent at the free throw line, with neither team scoring from the floor again. Alabama State shot 10 of 10 from the line in the extra period after shooting 2 of 2 in the fourth quarter. UAPB shot 9 of 11 from the line in overtime.
ASU shot 22 of 28 from the line in the game, while UAPB shot 21 of 28.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB (3-20, 1-12) coach Erica Leak said going behind early in overtime made it difficult for her team, which hasn’t won a game this season when playing from behind.
“For our confidence to be where it needs to be, we need to keep the lead, sustain the lead and seal the deal,” Leak said. “We should have won this game in regulation tonight. I just feel like it shouldn’t have went to overtime. They went on a, what, 11, 12-0 run in the second quarter. It’s unacceptable.”
UAPB looked dominant early, opening the game on an 11-0 run with guard Jailah Pelly hitting two 3-pointers. The Lady Lions went on to lead by as much as 22-7 early in the second quarter and seemed primed to run away with it.
Leak said the Lady Lions preached being aggressive all week in practice.
“I thought we were doing a great job of moving the basketball, making them work on defense,” Leak said. “We added some full-court pressure. We were just going to leave it all out, because it’s a numbers game. Looking to get to Atlanta, this was almost a must-win unless something crazy happens in a couple days.”
ASU responded. The Lady Hornets closed the gap to 24-23 by halftime, then guard Ashley Gray gave ASU its first lead with a 3-pointer 1:08 into the second half.
The Lady Hornets went on to lead by as much as 46-38 in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Lions fought back with an 11-2 run with a Pelly layup restoring UAPB’s lead.
With 35 seconds left, ASU forward Alanah Pooler tied the game with two free throws. Both teams had a chance to win it but couldn’t score, sending the game to overtime.
UAPB guard D’Arrah Allen led all scorers with 26 points and shot 11 of 13 from the line. Pelly scored 15 points with seven rebounds, and forward Stephanie Okowi scored 8 points with 10 rebounds.
Franklin led ASU with 19 points, while Harris scored 14 points with 13 rebounds. Franklin was 8 of 9 from the line.