ITTA BENA, Miss. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team closed out a gritty road win Saturday afternoon, edging Mississippi Valley State 68-66 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play at Harrison HPER Complex. The Lady Lions showed poise from start to finish in a back-and-forth battle that featured six ties and nine lead changes, answering every push with timely stops and big-time execution in winning time.

After a defensive-minded first quarter, UAPB weathered a second-quarter run and went into the locker room down 37-32, then came out of halftime with a steadier offensive rhythm and a renewed edge defensively. The Lady Lions kept the game within reach by forcing turnovers and creating extra possessions—finishing with 16 steals and turning defense into points around the rim. With both teams trading baskets through the third, UAPB stayed connected, then saved its best stretch for the fourth by outscoring MVSU 21-14 to take control down the stretch.

The closing minutes were all about composure and clutch plays. UAPB trimmed the deficit to one on a key finish by Jasmine Davis, then got to the line to keep applying pressure before Tyra Taylor knocked down a jumper with 1:03 left to tie the game at 66-66. From there, the Lady Lions leaned on their defense and toughness on the glass, and Indiya Bowen delivered at the line in the final moments, sinking the go-ahead free throws to seal the two-point road victory. Bowen led UAPB with 21 points and went 10-of-11 at the stripe, while Davis added 14 points and four steals. Jailah Pelly filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five steals, and three assists, and Taylor posted a strong double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds as UAPB finished with 36 points in the paint in a winning effort.