PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS -  The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions earned a strong SWAC win at home on Saturday, pulling away from Florida A&M in the second half for a 63-53 victory inside H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The game opened as a physical, defensive battle with both teams trading stops and contested possessions. UAPB stayed steady early, keeping the pace under control and responding every time Florida A&M tried to create separation. After a tight first half, the Lady Lions went into the break within striking distance and set the tone for a second-half takeover.
The turning point came coming out of halftime. UAPB raised its intensity on both ends and delivered its best stretch of the afternoon in the third quarter, outscoring Florida A&M 24-14 to flip the game. The Lady Lions pushed tempo, attacked the paint, and created quality looks from the perimeter, turning key defensive stops into points and taking control of momentum.
From there, UAPB closed the game with poise. The Lady Lions limited Florida A&M to just eight points in the fourth quarter and protected the lead with disciplined defense, strong rebounding, and timely execution down the stretch. The collective effort showed up across the stat sheet as UAPB won the hustle categories and finished the game with control.
Jailah Pelly led the way with 23 points and six three-pointers, providing a spark that fueled the Lady Lions' second-half run. Jasmine Davis added 16 points and four threes while making her impact felt defensively with four steals. Khaniah Gardner posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Briontanay Marshall anchored the interior with nine rebounds and two blocks.
As a team, UAPB knocked down 10 three-pointers, won the battle on the glass with 40 rebounds and 16 offensive boards, and turned defensive pressure into production with nine steals and 21 points off turnovers.