UAPB Men’s Hoops: French and Williams Lead UAPB Over Mississippi Valley State 78-69

PINE BLUFF, AR —Joe French totaled 21 points and Rashad Williams added 21 and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff  men’s basketball team beat the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 78-69 at home Saturday at the H.O, Clemmons Arena.

The Golden Lions had three players score in double figures, led by French, who had 21 points and two steals. Williams tacked on 21 points and six assists from the bench and Ismael Plet chipped in as well with a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

UAPB took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Saturday’s game, piling up 24 assists on 24 made field goals. Individually, Trejon Ware was on top of the distribution list for the Golden Lions with seven assists.

The UAPB defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday’s game, forcing 15 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 14. Those takeaways turned into 13 points on the offensive end of the floor. Kylen Milton led the way individually for the Golden Lions with three steals.

How It Happened

After falling behind 33-20, UAPB went on a 10-0 run with 3:51 left in the first half to narrow its deficit to 33-30. The Golden Lions then closed the rest of the gap and grabbed a 34-33 lead heading into halftime. UAPB relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 34 points.

Following intermission, UAPB kept widening that lead, expanding it to 44-42 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Williams’ three, to grow the lead to 53-42 with 13:37 to go in the contest. The Delta Devils narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Lions still cruised the rest of the way for the 78-69 win. UAPB shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting nine shots from deep to score 27 of its 44 points.

Game Notes

» Ismael Plet notched a double-double for the Golden Lions with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Golden Lions shot well from three point range, knocking down 14 of 29 long range attempts.
» The Golden Lions put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 100 percent of made baskets.
» Joe French hit seven threes and Rashad Williams knocked down five more to lead a UAPB shooting attack that had two players sink five or more shots from beyond the arc.
» The UAPB bench made an impact by scoring 30 points to its scoring output.
» UAPB had a 36-32 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UAPB defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Joe French led the Golden Lions with 21 points and Rashad Williams added 21.
» UAPB got a game-high 10 rebounds from Ismael Plet.