PINE BLUFF, AR - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team held Mississippi Valley State to just 11.1 percent from beyond the arc in a 3-for-27 shooting performance on the way to a 68-39 win against the Delta Devils at home Saturday.

The Lady Lions had three players score in double figures, led by Jailah Pelly, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals. D'Arrah Allen added 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals and Stephanie Okowi helped out with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks.

UAPB out-rebounded Mississippi Valley State 47-45 in Saturday's game, paced by Okowi's nine boards. The Lady Lions also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and scored seven second chance points.

UAPB forced 28 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 16 themselves in Saturday's game. The Lady Lions turned those takeaways into 29 points on the other end of the floor. Okowi's four steals led the way for UAPB.

How It Happened

After falling behind 6-3, UAPB went on a 6-0 run with 2:06 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Okowi, to take a 9-6 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. UAPB did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its nine points close to the basket.

UAPB kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 10-0 run starting at the 6:55 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Okowi, to increase its lead to 19-8. The Delta Devils cut into that lead, but the Lady Lions still enjoyed a 24-15 advantage heading into halftime. UAPB dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 15 points close to the basket.

UAPB continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Pelly, to expand its lead further to 39-26 with 1:55 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Lady Lions added five points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 47-29 edge. UAPB played well near the basket, scoring 16 of its 23 points in the paint.

UAPB kept its lead intact before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Pelly's layup, to grow the lead to 66-38 with 1:25 to go in the contest. The Lady Lions kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 68-39 win.

Game Notes

» The Lady Lions held the Delta Devils to only 24.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Lions never trailed after taking a 9-6 first quarter lead.
» UAPB had a stellar day defensively, holding Mississippi Valley State to 11 percent from three point land on 27 attempts.
» The Lady Lions forced 28 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing only 16 on the other end.
» UAPB had a 47-45 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UAPB defense forced 28 turnovers.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Jailah Pelly led the Lady Lions with 18 points.
» UAPB got a team-high nine rebounds from Stephanie Okowi.

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