A dominant second quarter wasn’t enough for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team in its final game of the season.
The Lady Lions fell 70-59 to Alcorn State on Saturday at H.O. Clemmons Arena on senior day.
UAPB (3-25, 1-17 SWAC) trailed 23-9 after a rough first quarter but fought back in the second. Senior forward Stephanie Okowi scored back-to-back layups midway through the second to cut it to 28-26.
The teams traded free throws and buckets in the final minutes of the half before junior guard D’Arrah Allen beat the halftime buzzer with a go-ahead 3-pointer. After trailing by as much as 21-6, UAPB led 33-32 at halftime.
UAPB coach Erica Leak said the second quarter comeback was about pride.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We’re not laying down,” Leak said. “We’re going to fight and finish the season. No one’s going to come in here and blow us out. So, they took heed to that and started playing, but I did think we kind of gave up in the fourth quarter a little bit. They went on a little run, and we just couldn’t come back from it.”
Alcorn (12-17, 10-8) retook control by outscoring UAPB 21-10 in the third quarter, and UAPB couldn’t recover as its season concluded. The Lady Braves scored 22 points off 19 UAPB turnovers and dominated 44-24 in the paint.
The Lady Lions made a season-high nine 3-pointers on 20 attempts and shot 40.7 percent from the field. Allen made four 3-pointers, while Okowi made three after making four 3-pointers all season entering Saturday.
Leak said the Lady Lions hadn’t planned to shoot so many 3s, but she did tell Okowi to play free.
“You’re a senior, just do you,” Leak said. “She shot more than she’s shot any and made more than she has any other night. Ashley Rojas, she’s a great shooter. Just trying to find the space and the plays to get her some open looks. She knocked down some, as well. Of course, D’Arrah’s been consistent. She’s going to get us two, three every game.”
Allen led UAPB with 20 points. Okowi, the lone senior on the team, scored 13 points. Her four rebounds, three assists and two steals were all tied for team leads.
Okowi has played the past four years at UAPB, though the Lady Lions believe they may be able to secure one more year of eligibility for her. This was her first year as a regular starter and presence on the court rather than a reserve player.
She said starting 17 games this year after starting twice in her first three seasons was a big transition for her.
“This is really my first conscious season,” Okowi said. “I’m in the game. You know what’s going on. You not just on the sideline. You actually have to figure it out now. You know you ain’t just clapping now. You on the court. So definitely, I did adjust, and I feel like I adjusted well, but it’s still more work to be done.”
Alcorn forward Destiny Brown led the Lady Braves with 24 points and 10 rebounds.