In a game that resembled the WWA, the Alcorn State Lady Braves, behind the 30 point scoring of junior Kiara Ruffin of Meridian, survived a furious UAPB comeback to nip the Golden Lioness 70-68 Monday in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

 

The win upped ASU's overall record to 9-13 but more importantly in the SWAC to 8-5. ASU will host SWAC opponent's Alabama A@M Saturday at 2:30PM and Alabama State Monday night at 5:30PM. Saturday night the University will celebrate Breast Cancer Survivor Night and GreekFest.

 

ASU led 42-26 at halftime due to the inside and outside scoring of the swift and high jumping Ruffin. Led by the three point scoring of Laquisha Slaton and Morgan Kilgore, the Golden Lioness, trailing 65-54 with 3 minutes left,  got to within the final margin on a steal and bucket by Jenise Gentry.

 

The Lady Braves in bounded the ball and kept it away from UAPB and avoided being fouled. Ruffin made two free throws with 10 seconds left for a 70-64 lead that provided the winning points.

Guardmate Carolinsia Crumbly had 13 for Coach Tonya Edward's team while Renelle Richmond provided 11. Sharnika Breedlove had 10 rebounds, ASU outrebounded UAPB 40-39, and she also blocked two crucial shots to help preserve the win. She also had seven assists! ASU again had too many turnovers, 26, but also had 17 steals. Ruffin had 5 and Crumbly 4.

 

For UAPB, now 1-23 and 1-12, played a lot better than their record,   Slaton led their scoring attack with 21 points with 10 each being scored by Gentry and Chigoziany Okwumabua. She aided the Lady Braves cause with only 6 free throws made in 13 attempts.