PINE BLUFF, Ark. — History was made Saturday afternoon inside H.O. Clemmons Arena as the UAPB Lady Golden Lions captured their seventh consecutive home victory — the most in program history — defeating Mississippi Valley State 68-48 before a crowd of 2,435 fans. The win pushed the Lady Lions to 12-14 overall and 9-7 in SWAC play, cementing their dominance at home as the regular season draws to a close.
UAPB controlled the contest from the opening tip, building a 21-10 advantage after the first quarter and never looking back. The Lady Lions extended the lead to 36-18 at halftime and continued to pour it on in the second half, outscoring the Devilettes in every period of play. The tone was set early through aggressive defense and relentless rebounding, as UAPB finished with 48 total boards compared to Mississippi Valley State's 39 and forced 24 turnovers that turned into 30 points on the other end.
Junior guard Indiya Bowen was the engine of the offense all afternoon, finishing with a game-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field and 3-of-9 from three-point range. Bowen struck quickly in the first quarter, knocking down back-to-back threes to help establish UAPB's early cushion, and continued to answer every Valley State push with timely buckets throughout the game. She added four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 33 minutes, consistently making plays on both ends whenever the Lady Lions needed a lift.
Forward Khaniah Gardner was equally impactful in the frontcourt, recording eight points, 10 rebounds, and three assists while controlling the glass on both ends. Her ability to extend possessions on the offensive boards was a key factor in UAPB's 19 offensive rebounds on the afternoon, which helped generate second-chance opportunities the Lady Lions converted into points. Center Briontanay Marshall provided a physical presence alongside her, finishing with nine points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals to give UAPB a commanding advantage inside.
Guard Jakyra Jackson contributed nine points, three steals, and two assists off the bench in 21 minutes, making the most of her opportunities and providing a spark each time she stepped on the floor. Jailah Pelly ran the offense with poise, adding seven points, five assists, and two steals while helping push the pace in transition. Jasmine Davis was disruptive throughout, racking up four assists and three steals to give UAPB a decided advantage in the turnover battle.
The Lady Lions' depth proved to be a difference-maker, as bench contributors accounted for 23 points and helped UAPB close out the fourth quarter on its own terms. The team's 14 steals, 44 points in the paint, and 12 fast-break points all reflected a cohesive effort that has defined this historic home stretch. With the record now firmly in hand, UAPB will look to carry the momentum into the final stretch of the regular season with an eye on the SWAC Tournament.
