MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team nearly erased a 21-point second-half deficit, falling to Alabama State 73-67 Saturday in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
The Golden Lions (3-15, 2-7 SWAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Joshuwan Johnson, who had 17 points, five assists and four steals. Jalen Lynn added 14 points off the bench, and Shaun Doss Jr. chipped in as well with 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
UAPB trailed 61-40 with 9:26 remaining before outscoring Alabama State 27-12 to end the game. Trailing 66-55, a pair of Lynn free throws with 2:14 to play cut the margin to single digits at 66-57. After an ASU free throw, a pair of free throws by Johnson cut the Golden Lion deficit to 67-59 with 1:56 to play.
The Hornets would continue to extend the lead before UAPB would continue to answer. A Morris dunk with 25 seconds to play cut the deficit to 70-64 with. After an ASU three-point play, Johnson made a three-pointer with just over 5 seconds remaining for the final margin.
The Golden Lions return to action Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Alabama A&M.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
WOMEN ALABAMA STATE 97, UAPB 68
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State pulled away with a late-game surge to win 97-68 Saturday.
The Lady Lions (2-12, 1-7 SWAC) had five players score in double figures, led by Trasity Totten’s season-high 18 points along seven rebounds. Tyler Pyburn added 14 points and six rebounds, while Ashlynn Green scored 11 points. Khadijah Brown and Kaila Walker each scored 10 for the Lady Lions.
UAPB never led in the contest, as Alabama State took a double-digit lead into the second quarter. The Lady Lions cut the deficit to 11 but in the period but trailed 41-27 at halftime.
In the third quarter, UAPB twice cut the margin to 11, the last time at 52-41 with just over five minutes remaining in the period on a Totten jumper, but could get no closer.
The Lady Lions return to action Monday in a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Alabama A&M. The UAPB Sports Network broadcast begins at 4:45 p.m. on 99.3 FM The Beat, online at uapblionsroar.com/live, and on the free UAPB Athletics App.