A month after dominating Mississippi Valley State at home, it was the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s turn to be on the receiving end of a lopsided result Saturday afternoon.
The UAPB women’s basketball team lost 78-48 to MVSU at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
UAPB (3-23, 1-15 SWAC) had defeated MVSU 11 straight times entering this game, a streak which dates back to 2019. Last month in Pine Bluff, the Lady Lions dominated Valley 68-39.
MVSU (5-22, 4-12) got revenge on its home floor. After scoring a season-low 39 points in Pine Bluff, the Devilettes tied their season high in Itta Bena with their highest-scoring output against a SWAC foe. They only need one half to match their output from the first game, leading 39-26 at halftime.
Valley made a season-high 11 3-pointers, led by senior guard Jaylia Reed’s 6 of 13 shooting from beyond the arc and junior guard Janiya Jones’ 4 of 7. Reed scored a game-high 23 points with Jones adding 18.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
This was the most 3-pointers UAPB has allowed to a SWAC opponent this season, beating the 10 Florida A&M made against the Lady Lions. Only non-conference foe Oklahoma State made more (12), with Hawaii also making 11.
UAPB turnovers fed Valley’s offense. The Lady Lions finished with 23 turnovers to Valley’s 10. MVSU collected 10 steals, while UAPB had none, and outscored UAPB 22-0 off turnovers.
The Lady Lions shot 32.3 percent from the floor and made 4 of 20 attempts from 3-point range. Senior forward Stephanie Okowi led with 16 points and 16 rebounds, with junior guard Ashley Rojas adding a season-high 11 points.
This defeat ensures UAPB will finish last in the SWAC standings. With two home games remaining, the Lady Lions finished 0-16 away from Pine Bluff.