The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team could not hold a late lead in a heartbreaking 77-75 loss to the Alcorn State Braves at home Monday.
The Lady Lions (3-12, 2-3 SWAC) had four players score in double figures, led by Kyeonia Harris, who had 20 points and six rebounds. Noe'll Taylor added 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals, and Aiya El Hassan chipped in as well with 12 points and five assists.
Harris pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead the UAPB offense, which grabbed 11 boards and turned them into 16 second-chance points.
The UAPB defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Monday's game, forcing 23 Alcorn State turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Taylor's four steals led the way individually for the Lady Lions.
After falling behind 12-10, UAPB went on a 6-0 run with 3:13 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Jayla Atmore, to take a 16-12 lead. The Lady Lions then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-20 advantage. UAPB capitalized on six Alcorn State turnovers in the period, turning them into seven points on the other end of the floor.
Alcorn State (8-10 overall, 4-2 SWAC) rallied to take a 36-32 lead before UAPB went on a 10-0 run starting at the 3:03 mark in the second period to take a 42-36 lead. The Braves cut into that lead, but the Lady Lions still enjoyed a 44-43 advantage heading into halftime.
UAPB forced nine Alcorn State turnovers in the period and turned them into six points.
Following intermission, the Lady Lions continued to expand its lead, pushing it to 50-47 before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from El Hassan, to extend its lead further to 56-47 with 4:42 to go in the third.
"I was pleased the way we came out and responded compared to Saturday's game," said first-year UAPB head coach Dawn Brown. "We played good tonight, but we have to play a complete four quarters, but overall I'm happy because the ladies came out and competed. We shot well from the free-throw line tonight, and it showed that the ladies were locked in. As a coaching staff, we're pleased because we are on the verge of turning the corner."
The Lady Lions will be back in action on the road Saturday at Prairie View at 3 p.m. The UAPB Sports Network will have a live radio broadcast starting at 2:30 p.m. on 99.3 FM The Beat, online at uapblionsroar.com, and on the free UAPB Athletics App.
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