GRAMBLING, La. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men's basketball team put together a rally late in Saturday's game, outscoring Grambling 15-7 in the final five minutes, but ultimately came up short, falling to the Tigers 74-71.
The Golden Lions (3-13, 2-5 SWAC) had two players score in double figures, led by
Shaun Doss Jr., who had 24 points, three steals and three blocks.
Joshuwan Johnson tacked on 18 points and six assists and
Markedric Bell added four points, nine rebounds and three steals.
UAPB grabbed 36 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Grambling's 33, led by Bell's nine boards. The Golden Lions also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 15 rebounds into 16 second chance points.
UAPB forced 17 Grambling turnovers, turning those takeaways into 16 points on the other end of the floor. Doss Jr.'s three steals led the way for UAPB.
After falling behind 22-18, UAPB went on a 5-0 run with 8:10 left in the first half to take a 23-22 lead. The Golden Lions then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 42-33.
Trailing 50-37 with less than 16 minutes remaining, UAPB chipped away slowly, gradually at the deficit.
Travonta Doolittle scored seven big points down the stretch, banking in a pair of three-pointers from the left wing, including a four-point play, to help bring the Golden Lions to within 72-69 with 21 second remaining.
Following a Grambling free throw,
Dequan Morris' basket in the lane cut the deficit to two at 73-71 with 1.7 second remaining. GSU converted a free-throw after a UAPB foul with 0.6 seconds remaining for the final margin.
The Golden Lions return to action Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Jackson State in game two of a doubleheader with the UAPB women's team, which tips at 5:30 p.m. The UAPB Sports Network broadcast begins at 5:15 p.m. on 99.3 FM The Beat, online at uapblionsroar.com/live, and on the free UAPB Athletics App.
