A rough first half was too much for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team to overcome on the road Tuesday night.
Jackson State defeated UAPB 63-59 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center in Jackson, Miss.
Jackson State (12-17, 10-7 SWAC) led 33-14 at halftime. The Lady Tigers had trailed 10-5 with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter before going on a 17-1 run into the second quarter. Jackson State went on to outscore the Lady Lions 17-3 in the second quarter.
Junior guard Jailah Pelly’s jumper with 5:26 to play in the second quarter was UAPB’s only made field goal in the final 17:29 of the first half. The Lady Lions (12-15, 9-8) shot 19% from the field in the first half, including going 1 for 11 in the second quarter.
The Lady Lions were much better in the second half, shooting 48.5% with four three-pointers. After outscoring Jackson State 24-13 in the third quarter, junior guard Indiya Bowen hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 59-56 with 24 seconds remaining.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Junior guard Jasmine Davis hit another with 7 seconds left to make it 61-59, but free throw shooting kept the Lady Tigers in front. Jackson State shot 9 of 11 from the line in the fourth quarter.
Jackson State senior guard Jaileyah Cotton led the Lady Tigers with 20 points, while junior guard Angel Wilkinson followed with 18. Cotton scored 17 of her points in the second half. Wilkinson scored 12 in the first half and made the game-sealing free throws with 5 seconds remaining in the game.
UAPB junior forward Khaniah Gardner led the Lady Lions with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while senior center Briontanay Marshall secured her first Division I double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Davis added 10.
The Lady Lions outscored Jackson State 16-5 on second chances, but the Lady Tigers outscored UAPB 23-17 off turnovers and 13-4 on the fast break. Rebounds were even at 34 apiece.
UAPB will need to beat Alcorn State on the road Thursday and get help in other games to finish in the SWAC’s top six and get a bye to the quarterfinals in next week’s SWAC tournament. Tipoff at Alcorn in Lorman, Miss., is set for 6 p.m.