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#UAPBWomensHoops Set To Square Off Against Alabama A&M In SWAC Opening Round

3/7/2023 5:00:00 PM

Birmingham, AL.- Eight women's basketball teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference hit the floor on Wednesday, playing in the first-round conference tournament at Bartow Arena on the campus of Alabama-Birmingham.

Meanwhile, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions got on the bus and went to an off-campus site to run through a good hour-and-a-half practice.

It was fitting that the Lady Lions got away and remained focused as a team preparing against two-seeded Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

"I think we're exactly where we need to be (mentally)," UAPB head coach Dawn Brown-Thornton said after workouts. "We talked over the last 48 hours and I told them that it's a new season and everybody's record is zero-to-zero. We're excited to be able to start the tournament off against a good team like Alabama A&M, but I also reminded our ladies that we got a chance to do something really special here at UAPB, so let's set the tone."

UAPB will be the first team to play this week, as tipoff against the Lady Bulldogs is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on audio on The Deltaplex 99.3, The Beat.

The season series between the two programs are tied at 1-1, with the Lady Lions winning the last matchup at home 60-57 at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.

UAPB is coming off a 74-66 win over Alcorn St. at home on Senior Night. The Lady Lions had three players score in double figures, led by Markisha Body, who notched a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Coriah Beck added 19 points, and Tia Morgan helped out with 15 points, six assists, and three steals.

UAPB took advantage of excellent ball movement in the last game of the regular season, piling up 20 assists on 25 made field goals. Morgan's six assists led the distribution list for the Lady Lions, and Raziya Potter also contributed with four assists of her own.

The Lady Lions' defense was a problem in the game, forcing 13 Alcorn State turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 10 points on the other end of the floor. Morgan's three steals led the way individually for the Lady Lions.

The Lady Bulldogs are coming off a 66-53 road loss to Southern University, led by Toni Grace, who leads the team by averaging 12.5 ppg.

#1Team1ROAR

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