Despite starting Saturday’s game red-hot from beyond the arc, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff struggled to score on the road.
The UAPB men’s basketball team fell 79-60 to Alcorn State at the Davey L. Whitney Health & Physical Education Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.
UAPB (4-19, 1-9 SWAC) shot 35.4 percent from the field, including 8 of 33 (24.2 percent) from 3-point range, and 6 of 14 from the free throw line. This was the fewest points UAPB has scored in a SWAC game this year.
The Golden Lions started the game on a 9-0 run as guards Zach Reinhart and Christian Moore combined to make three 3-pointers in four attempts, causing Alcorn State (6-17, 6-4) to call an early timeout. The Braves came out of the stoppage and went on an 8-0 run.
After a quick 5-point spurt from UAPB, the Braves went on a 14-0 run which included four 3-pointers in under 3 minutes to take the lead. Alcorn led the rest of the game.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Golden Lions trailed 37-27 at halftime after heavily favoring the 3-pointer in the first half, attempting 21 shots from beyond the arc compared to 10 inside. After the quick start from 3, UAPB made 3 of 17 from deep the rest of the half.
UAPB got to the rim more frequently in the second half, attempting 22 shots inside the arc with 12 3-point attempts, but the Golden Lions still only shot 38.2 percent from the field in the second half.
Alcorn came into the game with the second-best scoring defense in the SWAC but as one of the lowest scoring teams offensively. The Braves shot 47.2 percent from the field and made 21 of 27 free throws to beat their scoring average by 13 points.
Five Braves reached double digits, led by junior guard Marcus Tankersly with 15 points. Senior guard Michael Pajeaud scored 12 points with 12 rebounds.
UAPB guard Doctor Bradley finished with 15 points after not scoring in the first half. He also collected nine rebounds, six steals, four assists and two blocks, all team highs. Freshman guard Chop Paljor followed with 12 points on 4 of 10 shooting, all from 3-point range.