On Dec. 10, 2023, University of Arkansas women’s basketball fans settled into their seats at Bud Walton Arena for a Sunday afternoon game. The coaches and cheerleaders were wearing Christmas sweaters and colors for what was planned to be a fun, relaxing day of holiday hoops for the Razorbacks.
Instead, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff made the trip to Fayetteville and shocked the Hogs, 74-71.
That win, easily one of the biggest of any sport in UAPB’s history, was among the highlights of the school’s 2023-24 athletics season.
UAPB guard Coriah Beck, daughter of former Razorback Corey Beck, hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 7:11 remaining, and the Lady Lions led the rest of the game. Demetria Shephard’s 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining sealed the win. Zaay Green led UAPB with 21 points and nine rebounds that day.
It was the program’s first-ever win against a Power Five opponent, and the first loss against an in-state foe for Arkansas since the school lifted its self-imposed ban on playing them in 2019.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
That win was among the best of the Lady Lions’ season, which resulted in a top-four finish in the SWAC and a trip to the SWAC semifinals.
The Lady Lions didn’t go on to win a SWAC championship, but the UAPB men’s golf team did.
The Golden Lions won their second-straight SWAC title in April. UAPB finished 9 over par at the SWAC championships in Flowood, Miss., nine strokes better than second-place Florida A&M.
Jose Berenguel won the individual SWAC championship, and head coach Roger Totten was once again named SWAC coach of the year. UAPB went on to compete in the NCAA Regionals for the second-straight season, this time in Baton Rouge.
In track and field, UAPB high jumper Caleb Snowden became the program’s first NCAA All-American. He achieved the feat twice by finishing second at the NCAA indoor championships in Boston and third at the outdoor championships in Eugene, Ore.
Snowden won both the indoor and outdoor SWAC high jump titles, setting a new SWAC record of 2.22 meters. His personal best — and the new school record — was a leap of 2.27 meters in late April.
The UAPB football team welcomed a new coach to Simmons Bank Field as Alonzo Hampton completed his first season as head coach in the fall. The Golden Lions finished 2-9 with wins over Miles College and Texas Southern.
In the season finale at TSU, the Golden Lions trailed 31-7 at halftime but dominated the second half. Quarterback Mekhi Hagens tied the game with a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:46 remaining, and Dean Sarris kicked the game-winning extra point as UAPB finished the year on a high note.
The men’s basketball team secured a nice road win early in the season when guard Rashad Williams hit a jumper with roughly 11 seconds remaining in Conway to lift UAPB past Central Arkansas, 85-83.
The Golden Lions picked up some other nice wins but suffered tough losses en route to a 13-18 season that saw them fall just short of reaching the SWAC tournament.
The Lady Lions softball team had one of its better recent seasons thanks to freshman ace pitcher Kayla Adams. She finished with a 1.53 earned-run average with 201 strikeouts and led UAPB to the SWAC tournament for the first time since 2019. The Lady Lions took the SWAC East division champs, Florida A&M, to extra innings before falling 2-1. Bethune-Cookman then eliminated UAPB with a 2-0 win.
The baseball team had another tough year, but among the highlights was a respectable showing against Arkansas in North Little Rock. The Razorbacks entered the game ranked No. 2, but UAPB and the Hogs were tied at 1 after four innings. UA took a 3-1 lead in the fifth, then pulled away in the sixth for an 11-1 win.
The UAPB soccer team returned to the SWAC tournament with a 4-5 conference record but was eliminated by host Texas Southern. The volleyball team finished 6-25.
UAPB will take a new women’s basketball coach into next season after hiring Erica Leak from West Memphis High School. The school is also searching for new baseball and soccer coaches this summer.
UAPB senior Caleb Snowden clears the bar while competing in the men’s high jump Friday, June 7, 2024 at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. (Special to the Commercial/UAPB Athletics)
The UAPB men’s golf team holds their second SWAC championship trophy while displaying two additional trophies during the NCAA tournament selection show watch party Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Pine Bluff Commercial/Tanner Spearman)
UAPB running back Michael Jamerson (6) carries the ball after receiving a handoff from quarterback Jalen Macon (14) during a Sept. 30, 2023 football game at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff. (Special to the Commercial/ William Harvey)