As the final seconds ticked off the clock in overtime Saturday afternoon, Prairie View A&M guard Nyam Thornton hit a jumper to end the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s postseason hopes.
The Lady Panthers defeated the UAPB women’s basketball team 67-65 at the William J. Nicks Building in Prairie View, Texas.
UAPB (3-22, 1-14 SWAC) tied the game at 65 with roughly 7 seconds remaining in overtime on a 3-pointer by guard D’Arrah Allen.
Prairie View A&M (8-16, 5-10) called a timeout to advance the ball into the front court and set up Thornton for the game-winner. UAPB guard Jailah Pelly attempted a 3/4-court desperation heave, but it didn’t go in.
The Lady Lions had trailed 20-11 after the first quarter but used an 18-point second quarter to get back into the game. The Lady Lions outscored PVAMU 13-10 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Both teams had a chance to win it in regulation but failed to score.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Thornton scored the first 4 points of the extra period, forcing UAPB to play from behind in a similar situation to the Lady Lions’ previous overtime game, a loss to Alabama State.
This time, though, UAPB fought back. After an Allen layup cut the deficit to 63-62, Thornton made two free throws with 18.2 remaining before Allen’s tying 3-pointer.
Prairie View guard Ash’a Thompson and UAPB forward Stephanie Okowi tied for the scoring lead with 16 points apiece. Thompson had 10 rebounds, while Okowi had five. The Lady Panthers outrebounded the Lady Lions 37-27.
After Okowi, Allen scored 15 points for UAPB, with Pelly adding 13. Thornton finished with 12 points for Prairie View, with 8 of those coming in overtime. Prairie View guard Crystal Schultz scored 11 points after making 3 of 8 from 3-point range.
This loss eliminates UAPB from postseason contention. The Lady Lions can do no better than finishing tied with Alabama State for the final spot in the SWAC tournament, and the Lady Hornets control the tiebreaker having won both games with UAPB.
Even if it becomes a three-way tie with Mississippi Valley State, ASU’s 3-1 record against UAPB and Valley would see ASU take the final spot.
UAPB has three games left in coach Erica Leak’s debut season, a road game at Valley and two home games against Alcorn State and Jackson State.