At first, it was a matter of cutting down on turnovers for Arkansas-Pine Bluff to compete with any team in men’s basketball.
A good night shooting the ball wouldn’t hurt, either.
Tonight, UAPB (1-6) will have to make baskets count early and often at Akron (3-5) to earn its second victory of the season. The Golden Lions shot only 35.8 percent from the field in a 63-50 defeat at Michigan, the No. 18-ranked team in the coaches’ poll, and gave up a 27-2 first-half run in the process.
The Zips are young with a combined 19 seasons among 15 players. The rise of junior guard Lazabian Jackson, who scored 23 points against Michigan, and other transfers mixed with experience could be an advantage for the Lions.
For Akron, it’s the start of a five-game homestand. The Zips are 22-2 at home in December under eighth-year coach Keith Dambrot and have won 10 straight in the Rhodes Arena.
Only two of the Zips average double-figure scoring this season, sophomore forward Nick Harney (10.6 points) and junior forward Quincy Diggs (10.4). But junior center Zeke Marshall, who had a game-high 16 points Saturday in a 69-66 loss to Cleveland State, leads Mid-American Conference players in field goal percentage.
Senior guard Savalace Townsend still leads UAPB in scoring with 17.7 points per game. Jackson is second at 11.2.