PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Indiya Bowen has been named First-Team All-SWAC and Newcomer of the Year after a standout debut season with the UAPB Lady Lions, capping a remarkable first year in Pine Bluff with two of the conference's most prestigious individual honors.
Bowen proved to be one of the most impactful newcomers in the SWAC from the moment she stepped on the floor, announcing her arrival with a 29-point performance in UAPB's season-opening win over Memphis — a program that competes in the American Athletic Conference — setting the tone for what would become a historic individual campaign. She finished the season averaging 14.9 points per game on 35.3% shooting from the field and 31.9% from three, accumulating 416 total points, 100 rebounds, 55 assists, and 54 steals across 28 games.
Among her most memorable moments came in UAPB's early-season clash with North Alabama, where Bowen delivered a clutch game-winning basket to lift the Lady Lions to victory — a moment that signaled to the SWAC that she was not just a contributor, but a closer. She continued to deliver in marquee moments throughout conference play, including a 29-point outing against Alabama State on January 1st, a 26-point explosion at Alabama A&M on February 12th while shooting a scorching 9-of-12 from the field, and a 27-point performance against Mississippi Valley State on February 28th to close out the regular season on a high note.
Bowen also demonstrated a relentless ability to get to the free throw line and convert, shooting 74.3% from the stripe on the season, including multiple perfect outings when games were on the line. Her combination of scoring versatility, competitive fire, and clutch gene made her the unquestioned face of a Lady Lions program that showed significant growth throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Now, Bowen and the Lady Lions turn their attention to the SWAC Tournament, where UAPB will look to her to lead the charge toward a conference championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament automatic bid. With a year of SWAC experience under her belt and a postseason stage to match her talents, Bowen enters as one of the most dangerous players in the bracket — and Pine Bluff is counting on her to bring a championship home.
