A late foul ended the season for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team after a hard-fought home finale Saturday night.
Alcorn State outlasted UAPB 65-63 at H.O. Clemmons Arena, eliminating the Golden Lions from postseason contention.
UAPB coach Solomon Bozeman said both teams made plays in the final minutes, but the Braves made one more.
“This definitely hurts, because I thought our guys fought hard,” Bozeman said. “I thought we became a better basketball team down the stretch. I thought we were hitting our stride at the right time, and I thought we was gonna get rewarded for that by winning this game tonight and heading to the SWAC tournament, but it didn’t fall our way.”
The game featured 11 ties and nine lead changes as UAPB (6-25, 3-15 SWAC) fought for its postseason life.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Alcorn (11-20, 11-7) led 63-58 with 1:56 remaining after an 8-0 run. UAPB freshman Caleb Jones hit a 3-pointer, then neither team scored again until the final moments.
The Braves fouled junior forward Doctor Bradley while trying to deny him from receiving an inbounds pass. That foul sent him to the free throw line for a 1 and 1 opportunity. Bradley entered the game as a 41.7 percent free throw shooter and was 0 and 3 in the game but made both free throws to tie it at 63.
Alcorn got the ball into the front court and called a timeout. Sophomore guard Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt then drove the lane and drew a foul with 3.0 remaining and hit both free throws to restore Alcorn’s lead.
UAPB guard Christian Moore took the inbounds pass and crossed midcourt before putting up a last-second heave which bounced away as time expired on the game and the season.
The Golden Lions needed to win this game and hope Prairie View A&M lost to Texas Southern to claim the 10th and final spot at the SWAC men’s basketball tournament in Atlanta next week. TSU defeated the Panthers 80-68, so UAPB could have gone to Atlanta with a win. Instead, Prairie View takes that spot.
The loss came despite a season-high 16 points from freshman guard Raphael Dumont, who shot 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 3 at the free throw line. Bradley led UAPB with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jones scored 13 points after hitting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Bozeman said Dumont and Jones stepped up for the Golden Lions this year despite being freshmen.
“Both of those guys are tough,” Bozeman said. “They grew up fast this year. We had to play those guys, and I think it’s only going to help them grow. Caleb didn’t even think he was going to play this year until (senior guard Trejon Ware) got hurt. … I’m proud of the young guys. They got better.”
Alcorn led by as much as 24-10 midway through the first half, but UAPB fought back with a 15-2 run, shooting 7 of 8 and cutting the deficit to 26-25 before Alcorn junior Omari Hamilton hit a contested 3-pointer.
UAPB trailed 33-30 at halftime after a would-be game-tying 3 bounced out at the buzzer. Dumont led all scorers with 9 points at halftime.
Dumont said as a freshman coming off the bench, he must ensure he stays ready in case he is called upon the way he was Saturday.
“Sometimes you gotta step up and help your team win,” Dumont said. “Obviously, we didn’t do that a lot this year, but I feel like me and Caleb, overall, we did an OK job as far as freshman go. It’s rare, but I’m really grateful for the experience, grateful for Coach Solo and the whole coaching staff to just make me able to play out there and just trust me with whatever they want me to do.”
Alcorn senior Julian Lual led the Braves with 15 points, followed by Gaines-Wyatt with 11.