BIRMINGHAM, AL --The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team fought back from a 40-39 deficit after the third quarter to knock off the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 62-55 at Bartow Arena Wednesday.  

The Lady Lions will advance to the conference semi-finals for the first time since the 2012-13 season.  

"These young women did a phenomenal job in preparing themselves for this contest. They felt it was their time to prove to everybody what they were capable of doing," Thornton said.
 
"Everybody on this this team is capable of scoring the basketball. We put together a great roster to have some success. Scoring is something I don't have to worry about. Defending is what I want to make sure we preach to the team. We have to defend."

The Lady Lions had four players score in double figures, led by Coriah Beck, who had 16 points. Demetria Shephard added 15 points and three steals off the bench and Tia Morgan helped out with 12 points, five assists and two steals.

The UAPB offense made hay from beyond the arc, making eight threes on 24 attempts. Morgan hit three treys for the Lady Lions in the contest.

UAPB's defense held Alabama A&M to only 18.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 33.9 percent from the field.

How It Happened

UAPB struggled out of the gate, falling behind 18-12 at the end of the first quarter.

UAPB chipped away at that deficit and built a 23-22 lead before going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Jelissa Reese, to increase its lead to 30-22. The Bulldogs cut into that lead, but the Lady Lions still enjoyed a 36-29 advantage heading into halftime. UAPB was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 24 points.

UAPB then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Bulldogs 40-39 entering the fourth. UAPB knocked down one three-pointer in the quarter to score three of its three total points.

UAPB then came back to even it up at 50-50 before going on a 9-0 run to seize a 59-50 lead with 44 seconds to go in the contest. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Lady Lions still cruised the rest of the way for the 62-55 win. UAPB got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring six of its 23 total points.

Game Notes

» The Lady Lions rallied from a one-point 40-39 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» UAPB lit it up from three point land, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Lady Lions held the Bulldogs to only 33.9 percent shooting from the field.
» UAPB had a stellar day defensively, holding Alabama A&M to 19 percent from beyond the arc on 16 attempts.
» The Lady Lions bench made an impact by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
»  UAPB defense forced 19 turnovers.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Coriah Beck led the Lady Lions with 16 points.
» UAPB got a team-high 10 rebounds from Maya Peat.

The Lady Lions will advance to the semifinals Thursday, March 10, against the winner of Alabama St, and Bethune-Cookman at 11:00 a.m. CT.  
 

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