Golden Lions Withstand Lady Braves 66-57

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The shooting percentages didn't work in favor of the Alcorn State University women's basketball program Monday night as it fell at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 66-57 at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
 
The Lady Braves (4-21, 3-10 SWAC) got more shots up, but were 22-for-70 (.314) from the floor including just 4-of-20 (.200) from long range. The Golden Lions (5-15, 2-11 SWAC) posted a 26-for-60 shooting mark (.433) and 2-of-4 (.500) from beyond-the-arc.
 
The game was within reach for Alcorn the whole way, but just couldn't make enough baskets to get in front. UAPB led for nearly 37 minutes but never by double-figures.
 
Junior Jada Hargrove registered a team-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Senior De'Asia Brown tallied 12 points, and junior Toddriana Isler recorded 10 points and six rebounds.
 
UAPB was led by Noe'll Taylor's 17 points. Kye Richardson pitched in with 14 points, six assists and five rebounds.
 
The Lady Braves got off to a slow start and fell behind by scores of 6-0, 10-2 and 15-6. They started to knock down shots at the end of the first quarter as Hargrove and Brown each hit jumpers to trail 15-10 heading into the second.
 
A lay-up by Isler had Alcorn down just 17-15 at the 8:42 mark of the second. The team was still down by two, 22-20, after a pair of free throws by Hargrove with 6:21 remaining. The Lady Braves tied it 24-24 on a jumper by Brown with 5:19 to go.
 
Alcorn took the lead 31-30 on a three-pointer by junior Charisma Walker with 2:36 left in the half. The Golden Lions scored the last four points of the quarter and held a slight 35-33 edge at the intermission.
 
The Lady Braves knotted it up 38-38 on a three-ball by freshman Diamond Hall at the 7:10 mark of the third. However, UAPB responded with an 8-0 spurt to take a 46-38 advantage with 4:10 remaining. Buckets by Hargrove and Isler trimmed it to 46-42, but Richardon's jumper put the Golden Lions ahead 48-42 at the end of the third.
 
UAPB led by seven mid-way through the fourth when Alcorn made one last push. A three-pointer by freshman Alexia Hood, followed by a free throw by sophomore Jamaysha Bernard had the team down just 56-53 with 3:17 to go. However, the Golden Lions were able to get a lay-up the other way and knock down free throws down the stretch to stay in front.
 
Alcorn will be back in action Saturday when it hosts Alabama State at 3 p.m. at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
 
NOTES
- The Lady Braves are now 4-4 against the Golden Lions under head coach Courtney G. Pruitt.
 
- Alcorn entered the game leading the SWAC in offensive rebounds with 16.3 per game and pulled down 20. Isler, Walker and Hall each secured three offensive boards.
 
- Brown has scored in double-figures in 12 of 13 league matches this year. She averaged 19.5 points per game over the weekend after scoring a career-high 27 against Mississippi Valley State on Saturday. Brown has notched 22 career double-digit scoring games and 18 this year.
 
- Hargrove remained as the only Lady Brave to start in every game this season. She submitted her 19th double-figure scoring game of her career, 14th this year and third in a row. She entered the game ranked second in the SWAC in minutes (33.2 mpg) and third in assists (4.0 apg) and logged 34 minutes with four assists.
 
- Isler notched her 10th double-figure scoring game of the year and fifth in the last six games. She was 5-of-11 from the floor.
 
Quoting Alcorn head coach Courtney G. Pruitt
Opening Statement
"It was a very disappointing night. We didn't capitalize. We got some great turnovers, but when given the chance to score, we'd turn the ball right back over. We got outrebounded and gave them numerous second chance opportunities. We also put them at the free throw line way too much – 28 free throws are a lot to shoot. We also struggled from the three-point line as well. We had some problems tonight in areas that we usually don't, and then the third quarter really hurt us. We faced some foul trouble, and we just couldn't get going and it really hurt us."
 
On UAPB getting to the free throw line
"They did a good job of putting their heads down and getting to the basket. They drew the contact, but we weren't aggressive enough on defense. We forced some turnovers, but it wasn't enough. We had wide-open looks at the basket and 20 missed lay-ups. We had a number of opportunities to take over the game, but we couldn't do it tonight on the road. Our young ladies were very disappointed with the outcome. They gave it their all, but it just wasn't our night and the ball wouldn't fall. Sometimes that happens."
 
On the next step
"This is something that we'll have to get through. We come back home next week to play two tough Alabama teams that are playing very well. This was a close ball-game throughout tonight and we had chances to capitalize, but fell short. We just have to regroup and recharge."
 
#FearTheBrave