A season-worst 3-point shooting night cost the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team in Monday’s defensive battle.
UAPB lost 73-64 to Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla.
UAPB (3-15, 0-5 SWAC) guard Zach Reinhart, a Florida native playing in his home state, made two of his three 3-point attempts.
The rest of the team shot a combined 0 of 15 from beyond the arc. The Golden Lions’ 11.1% performance on 3-pointers was the lowest of the season, beating the previous low of 14.3% (three of 21) against Texas.
The Golden Lions entered the game averaging 8.1 made 3-pointers per game, the fourth-most in the SWAC.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Bethune-Cookman (7-11, 4-1) lived up to its billing as the No. 1 scoring defense in the SWAC since conference play began. UAPB’s 64 points tied its fewest in conference play this season, matching the number it scored against Prairie View A&M two games prior.
The Wildcats shot six of 27 from 3-point range, led by junior guard Trey Thomas. He made three of his 11 attempts and finished with a game-high 31 points. Junior forward Daniel Rouzan added 18 points. Jesus Carrelero Martin led the Wildcats in rebounds with 13 and assists with five while scoring 9 points.
UAPB junior guard Doctor Bradley led his team with 23 points and six rebounds while senior forward Klemen Vuga added 12 points.
Bethune-Cookman led 27-24 at halftime after holding UAPB to 29% shooting in the first half, but the Golden Lions picked up their offense to start the second half.
Bradley hit two free throws with 14:45 remaining to give UAPB its first lead of the game, 38-36. The Golden Lions held their largest lead, 48-42, with 9:32 remaining after a Dante Sawyer layup.
Bethune outscored the Golden Lions 31-16 after that point. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Seneca Willoughby put the Wildcats back in front for good. Bradley hit a layup to cut it to 51-50, but UAPB wouldn’t get that close again.
This was Bethune-Cookman’s first win against UAPB since joining the SWAC. The Golden Lions had been 3-0 against the Wildcats.