Lady Lions Basketball Gets Past Lady Braves 50-46

Courtesy University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics Department

Box Score Garland, Tex. – Playing the opening game of the 2013 SWAC Tournament, the 2013 SWAC coach of the year Nate Kilbert and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions battled the Alcorn State Lady Braves at the Curtis Culwell Center.

UAPB got out of the gate a little slow, as ASU got off to an early 8-5 lead by the 12-minute media timeout. The Lady Lions struggled with the Lady Braves throughout the first half; as ASU would push their lead to as much as eight with 3:40 left on the clock before the half. The Lady Lions would go into locker room behind seven, 23-16.

The second half is all about adjustments and the Lady Lions showed they were capable making the adjustments to come away victorious.

UAPB chipped away at the seven point halftime but wouldn’t tie ballgame until the 11:19 mark, when Jazmyne Victorian knocked down a 12 foot jumper for 33-33 score. Both teams flirted with holding the lead down the stretch; but UAPB’s Jenise Gentry put in back-to-back lay-ups, along with two late second free throws by Lakendra Marsh to give the Lady Lions their largest lead of the night and the game it’s final.

Gentry led all scorers with 14 points, on seven-of-ten shooting and grabbing four rebounds. First team All-SWAC selection Chigozianyi Okwumabua contributed 13 points, while third team All- SWAC selection Lakendra Marsh added 10.

“We struggled early but we made our adjustments at the half and played harder defense down the stretch. Along with making some key free throws and going inside to Jenise and Chi Chi, that’s what turned the game in our favor”, said Kilbert.

SWAC defensive player of the year Carolinsia Crumbly was the high point scorer for the Lady Braves with 10 points.

The Lady Lions move on to the second round of 2013 SWAC tournament where they will face the second seeded Lady Jaguars of Southern University. UAPB split the regular season meetings, with both teams winning the home contest. Tipoff is set for 3:00 PM.

 

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