UAPB Women Hoops: Defensive Effort Leads Lady Lions Over Texas Southern

at Health and Physical Education Arena on Mon day February 20, 2023.

HOUSTON, TX –The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team kept Texas Southern to just 7.1 percent from 3-point range in a 1-for-14 shooting performance on the way to an 83-53 victory over the Lady Tigers on the road Monday.

The Lady Lions had three players score in double figures, led by Maori Davenport, who had 22 points, nine rebounds, two steals and six blocks. Demetria Shephard tacked on 18 points and two steals and Maya Peat helped out with 15 points and seven rebounds.

UAPB out-rebounded Texas Southern 49-41 in Monday’s game, led by Davenport’s nine boards. The Lady Lions also collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 19 second chance points.

UAPB did a great job disrupting Texas Southern shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Davenport’s six rejections led the way individually for the Lady Lions.

How It Happened

After falling behind 5-2, UAPB went on an 8-0 run with 7:21 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Raziya Potter, to take a 10-5 lead. Texas Southern then responded to tie things up at 14-14 heading into the second quarter. UAPB capitalized on two Texas Southern turnovers in the period, turning them into four points on the other end of the floor.

Texas Southern then took a 25-21 lead before UAPB responding by going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Davenport, to take a 28-25 lead. The Lady Lions kept that lead for the remainder of the period and enjoyed a 31-28 advantage heading into halftime. UAPB saw non-starters score five of its 17 total points off the bench in the quarter.

UAPB continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 14-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Peat, to expand its lead further to 54-38 with 34 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lady Tigers had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Lions still entered the fourth quarter with a 54-39 edge. UAPB played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.

UAPB kept widening that lead, expanding it to 73-52 before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 80-52 with 15 seconds to go in the contest. The Lady Lions kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 83-53 win. UAPB got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 20 of its 29 total points.

Game Notes

» The Lady Lions held the Lady Tigers to only 27.9 percent shooting from the field.
» UAPB had a great day defensively, holding Texas Southern to 7 percent from beyond the arc on 14 attempts.
» UAPB bench made an impact by adding 38 points to its scoring output.
» UAPB had a 49-41 edge on the boards in the win.
» UAPB defense forced 18 turnovers.
» The Lady Lions were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Maori Davenport led the Lady Lions with a game-high 22 points.
» UAPB got a team-high nine rebounds from Maori Davenport.

The Lady Lions will be back in action Saturday, February, 25, when they travel to Itta Bena, MS. to take on Mississippi Valley St.  Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT