COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – Alabama State gave the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff chances in the fourth quarter Friday night, but the Lady Lions couldn’t capitalize.
UAPB wrapped up its season with a 72-59 loss to Alabama State in the SWAC women’s basketball semifinals at the Gateway Center Arena. No. 3-seed Alabama State (17-15) committed five turnovers in the fourth quarter while the game was in reach for the Lady Lions.
The Alabama State lead hovered in the four- to seven-point range, and a big shot here or there could have fueled the big run the Lady Lions needed to retake the lead. Instead, No. 7-seed UAPB (15-16) shot 2 of 12 from the field, including 0 of 5 from three-point range, in the fourth quarter. An 8-of-11 performance at the free throw line wasn’t enough without shots from the floor.
ASU finished the game with 19 turnovers to UAPB’s 14, but the Lady Hornets did more with them, outscoring UAPB 22-15 off giveaways.
UAPB Coach Erica Leak said Alabama State played with more toughness in the fourth quarter.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We were right there, but I think toward the fourth, the margin of rebounds kind of expanded,” Leak said. “I think that was the tell-tale of the game, but again, we went in there, and we gave it our all. I’m just so proud. I am so proud of these ladies.”
Alabama State outrebounded UAPB 18-4 in the fourth quarter, including a 7-1 margin on the offensive end, to finish with a 46-31 edge on the boards.
Junior forward Khaniah Gardner gave the Lady Lions a 50-49 lead 6 seconds into the fourth quarter with a three-point play, but Alabama State junior forward Alanah Pooler answered with a layup 9 seconds later. The Lady Hornets led the rest of the game.
After Gardner cut the deficit to 63-59 from the free throw line with 1:42 to play, Alabama State finished the game on a 9-0 run, mostly on free throws.
Alabama State led 22-13 after shooting 50% in the first quarter, but the Lady Lions clawed back into the game in the second. UAPB had several chances to take the lead but couldn’t get a shot to go.
After trailing 34-33 at halftime, the Lady Lions finally tied the game on a high-arching three-pointer as the shot clock expired by junior guard Jasmine Davis with 6:53 remaining in the third quarter. Junior guard Indiya Bowen gave UAPB its first lead since the first quarter 47 seconds later.
The teams traded the lead back-and-forth from there. Alabama State freshman guard Ny’Keria Flowers hit a deep three-pointer at the end of quarter to give the Lady Hornets a 49-47 lead entering the fourth.
Alabama State Coach Johnetta Hayes said the buzzer-beater was big for her team entering the final 10 minutes of the game.
“They play off each other, and they feed off of each other,” Hayes said. “So, that shot, for a freshman to take it is so gutsy. She could have easily just dribbled the ball out, so I thought it was a great, positive impact going into the fourth quarter.”
Davis led UAPB with 17 points, while Bowen added 13. Gardner and junior guard Jailah Pelly added 11 each. The Lady Lions shot 31.7% from the floor.
Flowers led Alabama State with 14 points, with Pooler adding 13 points and eight rebounds. The Lady Hornets shot 44.6%.
Leak said she is proud of her team for reaching the semifinals despite coming up short.
“They left it all out on the court,” Leak said. “They followed the game plan, and they left empty. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for from your team, is to have pride in the program, pride in your playing ability and leave it all out there. They did, without a shadow of a doubt.”
Alabama State will face No. 4-seed Southern, which upset No. 1-seed Alabama A&M earlier in the day, in Saturday’s SWAC championship game.