PINE BLUFF, AR - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff looks to repeat and add history to what has already been a remarkable season as they play host to Ole Miss on Thursday at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The Lady Lions are winners of three of their last four games including a historic win over Arkansas, their first win over a Power 5 program in school history. Looking ahead, the Lady Lions look to take down two SEC opponents in one season for the first time in school history by any sport.
"It's a great opportunity to have a chance to be back at home in front of your home crowd," Thornton on hosting Ole Miss. "Coming off of a road win versus Arkansas, the feeling is surreal, but being able to come back and see if you're battle tested at home for back to back wins is pivotal for our program. The young ladies are focused. They're locked in, we've had great practices leading up until the game, so I'm super excited about that. Just want to continue to push them and put confidence into them for them to understand that they can make history again and we're excited about it. Thankful for the opportunity and and looking forward to it."
Ole Miss is led by head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who is a graduate of UAPB as a master's recipient. McPhee-McCuin has made major contributions to the program that has not gone unnoticed.
"Coach Yo[lett] is more than a friend to me, she's a sister." Thornton remarks on her relationship with McPhee-McCuin. "I couldn't be more thankful to have someone as dear to me to support this women's basketball program. She's a MAJOR, major donor. Last year, she gave us $10,000. For her to be at an SEC school and to come back as an alum and play in Pine Bluff shows her commitment and her level of love and respect for HBCU. A lot of coaches in the country wouldn't dare to do it, but those who understand the importance and the significance of being able to allow their teams to see what is like being at HBCU, things like that should never go unnoticed."
The Lady Lions have been hot as a team, taking down SMU in the process and earning recognition from major platforms across the country. However, the job is not finished, and conference play is near. Thornton has her group locked and loaded in preparation for what's to come.
"One thing I've always said about this group is they hate losing, and the only way to eliminate the feeling of losing, is to win," Thornton remarking on the team going forward. "I know that we have the talent. I know that the product is solid. What we do works and they've bought into the system. They've enjoyed learning new things, they've enjoyed embracing new challenges, and they understand what this preseason schedule consists of and how it's going to prepare them. For conference and for future success of this program, I think it goes without notice for them to understand each other and build relationships with each other. Establishing sisterhood in that bond is something that that they'll never forget. Not only do we want to be able to have and share winning moments here, but we want to share lifelong relationships with future stakeholders with our program being able to come back and give back and be proud of their times while they were here at UAPB. So we want to make memories, we want to make history, we want to win, and we want to have fun doing it. We want to touch the community and embrace the city. That's what I want. That's what I stand for. That's what I love to do."
Tip-off for Thursday's game is set for 1 P.M. CST at H.O. Clemmons Arena. There is free admission to the game with a new, unwrapped toy that will go to the Lions Holiday Toy Drive.
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