After winning one game in the regular season and losing to Alcorn State twice this year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff could be looking at an early exit in the SWAC women’s basketball tournament.
The Lady Lions play at 3 p.m. today in Garland, Texas, and even though UAPB (1-28, 1-17 SWAC) has had a rough season, coach Cary Shelton and his squad are looking for an extended stay in Garland.
“We are packed for playing in the finals on Saturday,” the UAPB coach said. “Our record is 0-0 now and it is that way for everybody. That’s the mind-set.”
UAPB lost to Alcorn State on Jan. 16 at H.O. Clemmons Arena 65-51, and then lost to the Braves 80-63 on Jan. 13 in Lorman, Miss.
“Alcorn is a scrappy defensive team,” he said. “We just gotta get after it defensively, which will create offense. We have to come out with intensity and contain them.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB is the No. 10 seed for the SWAC tournament, while Alcorn State (11-19, 9-9) is the No. 7 seed. Mississippi Valley State (17-12, 14-4) is the top seed in the tournament.
The Lady Lions could be going into the SWAC tournament without their top scorer. Chi Chi Okwumabua has missed the last two games after spraining her right knee against Jackson State.
“She had a lot of swelling over the last couple of weeks, but she has had a lot more movement and is able to cut and turn,” Shelton said.
Shelton does not know if Okwumabua will play against Alcorn State, though. She is a game-time decision.
“Basically, I told our trainers if they can get her up to speed, that’s good, but right now she’s a game-time decision,” he said.
Okwumabua leads the team with 11.4 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game along with 51 steals.
If UAPB wins, the Lady Lions would play the No. 2 seed Southern at 10 a.m. Wednesday.