PINE BLUFF, AR --The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team got a 17-point performance from the bench, but fell 69-55 to the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at home Thursday.

The Lady Lions had two players score in double figures, led by D'Arrah Allen, who had 18 points and two steals. Stephanie Okowi added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Empress Roberts added six points, five assists and two steals.

Led by Okowi's four offensive rebounds, UAPB did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 10 second chance points.

UAPB forced 17 Alabama A&M turnovers. The Golden Lions turned those takeaways into 16 points on the offensive end of the floor. Roberts' two steals led the way for UAPB.

How It Happened

UAPB struggled out of the gate, falling behind 23-12 at the end of the first quarter.

UAPB then started off the second quarter by going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Okowi, to narrow its deficit to 23-18. Alabama A&M responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Lady Lions trailing 34-27 heading into halftime.

Alabama A&M continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 42-29 advantage before UAPB went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Roberts, to trim its deficit to 42-34 with 6:24 to go in the third. Alabama A&M countered and stretched its lead to 49-38 heading into the fourth. UAPB took advantage of five Alabama A&M turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of takeaways.

UAPB could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 69-55. UAPB took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 17 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» Stephanie Okowi notched a double-double for the Golden Lions with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
» The Golden Lions shared the ball well, recording an assist on 87 percent of made baskets.
» The UAPB bench made an impact by scoring 17 points to its scoring output.
» The UAPB defense forced 17 turnovers.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» D'Arrah Allen led the Golden Lions with 18 points.
» UAPB got a game-high 12 rebounds from Stephanie Okowi.

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