After being one defensive stop away from winning in regulation, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team saw its SWAC opener slip away in overtime.
Alabama State defeated UAPB 71-64 Thursday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
UAPB (3-8, 0-1 SWAC) led 55-53 in the dying seconds of regulation, but Alabama State junior guard Caylee Simpson drove to the rim and tied the game with 10 seconds remaining. UAPB senior guard Kristyna Boyd had time to shoot a would-be game-winner, but the ball bounced off the rim as time expired, sending the game to overtime.
Head coach Erica Leak said since her team had a foul to give, she told her players in the timeout before the final sequence to foul before the shot.
“We didn’t, and they ended up getting a layup late,” Leak said. “Just gotta pay attention a little bit more. You know, I’m crushed. I’m crushed, because the game should have been won in regulation, but again, it’s just the small details and the execution that we have to pay attention to and be intentional about.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Junior guard Indiya Bowen opened overtime with a go-ahead 3-pointer, but ASU (4-8, 1-0) scored the next 6 points to take the lead. UAPB had chances to tie or take the lead but made just 1 of its final 7 shots. The Lady Hornets made 4 of 5 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line in overtime to close out the game.
For the game, UAPB made 13 of 27 free throws (48.1 percent), while ASU made 14 of 22 (63.6 percent). It was the Lady Lions’ fourth game this season shooting below 50 percent from the line, and the 14 misses were the second most this season.
Bowen led all scorers with 29 points and collected eight rebounds. Junior guard Jailah Pelly added 14 points and seven assists. No other Lady Lion scored more than 6 points.
Leak said UAPB needs somebody other than Bowen and Pelly to step up on the offensive end.
“They just need a little help, and we’re going to get it,” Leak said. “Jasmine Davis is going to come along. I think even (Jayla) Cornelius, Tyra (Taylor) stretching it out, I think we’re going to get them to come on and chip in and help us out.”
This was Boyd’s second appearance this season after making her season debut with 6 minutes in the nonconference finale at Tulsa. Boyd, one of the few returning players from last season, scored 4 points but collected eight rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
Leak said getting Boyd back is big for the team, especially given her experience playing in the SWAC.
“Kris is the grit,” Leak said. “She has heart, and she’s freaking tough. She grinds, and she wants it, and she’s passionate about it. So, her spark, her energy off the bench was crucial. Again, she did so much that I had to leave her out there, because she was just playing hard and giving maximum effort. Hopefully, that’s a domino effect we need from some others.”
ASU junior guard Shamya Reid led the Lady Hornets with 16 points, while sophomore Clearia Peterson scored 14 with 16 rebounds. Junior guard Charlese McClendon collected 13 rebounds with 9 points.
The Lady Lions will look to bounce back at 3 p.m. Saturday at home against Alabama A&M. The Lady Bulldogs also lost in overtime on Thursday, falling 74-72 at Mississippi Valley State.