PINE BLUFF -- The Lady Lions fell behind early, but rallied to beat Philander Smith 57-42 on opening night Friday at H.O. Clemmons Arena.

Cassidy Wright led three Lady Lions in double-figures with 16. She was 5-for-12 from the field, with four 3-pointers and 2-for-2 from the freethrow line.

Carlisha Walker and Erin Campbell each added 10 points. Walker also grabbed nine rebounds and had a pair of blocked shots. Both players were efficient from the field. Walker hit 4-of-5 fieldgoals while Campbell knocked down 5-of-7.

Kynsha Geans paced Philander Smith with 16 points and seven rebounds. Brittany Leonard contributed 10 points and six rebounds for the Lady Panthers (3-1)

Neither team seemed to have the offensive magic on Friday. However after shooting a dismal 29% in the first half, UAPB improved in the second, shooting 44.4% and finishing the game at 36%. Philander Smith, on the other hand went in reverse. After shooting a cold 9-for-29 (31%) in the first half, the Lady Panthers were brick-city in the second half, hitting only 5-of-42 shots for 11.9%. Philander Smith wound up shooting a glacier-like 19.7% for the game.

The Lady Lions were bitten by the turnover bug in the first half, but took care of the ball in the final 20 minutes. UAPB had 17 first half miscues, but only gave it away nine times in the second half.

Both teams were iced cold in the first four minutes. The first basket wasn't scored until Geans hit a 3-pointer with 15:51 left to break the scoreless tie for Philander Smith. The Lady Panthers scored the first seven points of the game, but UAPB trimmed the deficit to 24-22 by halftime.

The Lady Lions took their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Wright. Later in the half, UAPB took control of the game. Leading 40-36, the Lady Lions went on an 11-1 run to take a commanding 14-point lead at 51-37 with 4:09 left in the game.

PSC got within double-digits at 51-42 with under a minute left, but would score again.

The Lady Lions will be on the road on Veteran's Day, visiting Marquette.