HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A dreadful third quarter proved costly for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team Monday night against Alabama A&M.
The Lady Lions made just 2 of 10 shots in the period while the Lady Bulldogs went 9 of 17 in pulling away for a 60-54 victory at the T.M. Elmore Gym.
Sophomore guard DeShawn Harper scored 18 points and snagged six rebounds while her backcourt classmate, Nigeria Jones, added 16 points, six rebounds and three steals for Alabama A&M (11-11, 6-5 SWAC), which broke out in the second half after trailing 32-30 at halftime.
UAPB (4-14, 1-10) did put together one of its more impressive first halves of the conference season and rode the hot shooting of guards Kye Richardson and Atitiana Vincent to hurt the Lady Bulldogs early. The duo combined for 18 points over the first two quarters as the Lady Lions battled back from a 17-10 deficit. Vincent's three-pointer with 2:20 to go in the second quarter tied the game at 28-28 before senior center Shawntayla Harris later hit two free throws at the 1:04 mark to help give UAPB its two-point, halftime cushion.
Things, however, slowed down in the third quarter. The Lady Lions missed their first three shots of the period. The Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, made five of their first six shots to build a 42-35 lead. Alabama A&M would eventually push its advantage to 49-36 on a jumper from sophomore center Ashlyn Dotson with 1:35 left in the quarter and took a 51-41 lead into the fourth before UAPB used its defense to make one final push.
The Lady Lions blocked three shots in the frame and got several timely baskets to eat away at the Lady Bulldogs' lead. A basket from junior guard Noe'll Taylor got UAPB within 56-54 with 2:16 remaining in the game. The Lady Lions had a number of chances to either tie or take the lead over the next 1:33 but couldn't get the key the shot they needed to fall. Harper scored on a lay-up with 43 ticks left and the Lady Bulldogs were able to hold on from there.
Vincent finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four steals and Richardson ended with 11 points for UAPB, which will finally return to the friendly confines of home when it squares off against Southern U. on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
FAST BREAK
• Harris added two blocks, which gives her a conference-leading 41 on the season.
• Both teams shot an identical 7 of 18 in the first quarter.
• Junior forward Aiya El Hassan had a team-high eight rebounds. Katherine Darden, also a junior, was second with seven boards.
• UAPB shot 37 percent while Alabama A&M was 37.1 percent from the field. Both also knocked down 3 three-pointers.
• Each ball club hit 11 free throws apiece and both teams grabbed 34 defensive rebounds.
• The Lady Bulldogs held a 38-28 edge on points in the paint.
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