Late efforts to rally for a first SWAC win of the season fell short Monday night for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The UAPB men’s basketball team lost 81-77 to Grambling State at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
UAPB (3-17, 0-7 SWAC) cut the deficit to 73-72 with 2:25 remaining after freshman Chop Paljor nailed a 3-pointer and junior Doctor Bradley quickly turned a Tiger turnover into a dunk. Coach Solomon Bozeman said effort and discipline got the Golden Lions back into the game after GSU led by as much as 62-49 with 13:24 to play.
“We were very alert and got in our press defense and was able to cause some havoc, and then players made plays,” Bozeman said. “So, we were right there, just didn’t make enough plays down the stretch to get us a (win). Didn’t get enough stops.”
Grambling (6-14, 3-4) answered with a Chilaydrien Newton 3-point play on the next possession, which started a 6-0 GSU run, preventing UAPB from tying the game or taking the lead.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Golden Lions didn’t score again until with just over 2 minutes remaining when Caleb Jones hit a 3-pointer.
Newton evaded UAPB’s attempts to foul for several seconds. The Golden Lions protested the lack of a foul call when they reached for him in the backcourt, with the foul call not coming until a later attempt with 10.3 seconds remaining.
Newton made both free throws to make it 81-75. Bradley scored a late layup, then missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer after a GSU turnover.
Entering the game, the Tigers ranked 11th in the SWAC in 3-point percentage, 3-pointers attempted, and 3-pointers made per game since the start of conference play.
Grambling made 11 of 23 attempts from deep, the most makes for the Tigers in conference play and second-most against a Division I opponent this season. Kintavious Dozier made 5 of 8, while Newton made 3 of 5.
This performance came after making 10 of 20 at Mississippi Valley State on Saturday. GSU hadn’t made more than five 3-pointers in a SWAC game before this weekend.
Bradley said the 3-point defense let the Golden Lions down.
“I think we could have put a lot more pressure on some of the guys,” Bradley said. “Even though they were not marked as 3-point shooters, once we see them hit, like, two, we should pressure them a little more. It’s (Division I) basketball, so everybody can do something with time and space.”
During the second half, Bozeman received a technical foul after getting into an official’s face following a foul call against Grambling. The Tigers missed both ensuing free throws.
UAPB got the ball since it was a dead-ball technical, and Bradley scored while drawing a foul. He missed the free throw, but UAPB recovered the rebound, leading to a Christian Moore 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 63-56, leading to a Grambling timeout with a fired-up UAPB bench.
Coming into the game, Bradley alone was averaging 14.3 free throw attempts per game. Monday, UAPB attempted seven as a team while Grambling shot 21. Bozeman pointed to the lack of free throws when asked what led to his technical foul.
“My guys were out there fighting, and so, I wanted to set the tone and get on the refs and see if we could get a couple calls,” Bozeman said. “I thought after I got the tech, I thought we started getting some calls. At the end of the day, I’ve been in this league. This is year four now. I really don’t expect any calls.
“We gotta find a way to win and find a way to get the job done. That’s just how I was raised. No excuses, get the job done. Finish through contact. Be strong with the ball. That’s just what it is, but proud of our guys, man. I really am.”
Bradley led UAPB with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Dante Sawyer followed with 14 points. Mikale Stevenson led GSU with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.