Montgomery, Ala. – Sophomore forward Shaun Doss turned in a game-high 25 points as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff put an end to its three-game losing streak with an impressive 75-69 road victory over Alabama State on Saturday at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Senior guard Martaveous McKnight added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Golden Lions, who led from start to finish to sweep the season series from their Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals. UAPB (8-15, 5-5) also won for just the second time on the road this season.
Juniors Reginald Gee and Tobi Ewuosho scored 12 points each for Alabama State (8-12, 6-3), which had a hard time stopping Doss and an even tougher time connecting from the outside.
The Hornets hit only 4 of their 18 three-point attempts, including a 1 for 8 effort in the second half. Alabama State did hold a 40-32 advantage on the glass, but it wasn't enough in the end.
The Golden Lions led by as many as 15 (40-25) in the first half after Doss' 22-footer at the 4:13 mark, but the Hornets closed on a 12-2 run to slice their deficit to 42-37 by halftime.
UAPB later grabbed a 60-49 cushion with 8:54 left in the game after another Doss jumper until Gee's dunk on the ensuing possession started a string of 11 consecutive points for Alabama State. His free throw would tie the game at 60-60 with 5:17 to go, but Doss had an answer. He would score seven of the Golden Lions' next 10 points to help keep them out front. Gee's lay-up got Alabama State within 70-68 at the 1:03 mark, but Doss and McKnight would knock down 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch to win it for UAPB.
The Golden Lions will try to make it two in a row Monday at Alabama A&M in the final game of their four-game road trip. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Huntsville, Ala.
FAST BREAK
• Doss' point total was a career high. His previous high was 23 points during a 93-72 loss at Missouri State on Dec. 22.
• Sophomore forward Terrance Banyard had 10 of UAPB's 15 bench points. Alabama State's reserves had 43 as a whole.
• Both teams hit 21 free throws apiece.
• The Golden Lions shot 57.1 percent from the field, which was nearly a season high. The Golden Lions hit 57.4 percent of their shots, coincidently, against Alabama State in an 82-71 victory on Jan. 12.
• UAPB held Alabama State to 38.6 percentage shooting, which is the lowest it's held an opponent since allowing Mississippi Valley State to hit 36.5 percent of its attempts on Jan. 5.
• Junior forward Marquell Carter had nine points and six rebounds for UAPB.
• UAPB swept the Hornets this season winning at home Jan. 12 and in Montgomery.
• Senior forward Fausto Pichardo added 11 points, six rebounds and two steals for Alabama State.
