UAPB Women Hoops Green Shines in Homecoming; Outlasts SMU 78-76 on the Road

DALLAS, TX – Coriah Beck hit a dagger shot with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter to put UAPB ahead 75-67, and the Lady Lions earned a 78-76 win over the SMU Mustangs on the road Monday.

The Lady Lions had three players score in double figures, led by DFW native and Duncanville alum Zaay Green, who had 23 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Kaila Walker tacked on 12 points and Maya Peat helped out with 11 points, three steals and two blocks off the bench.

UAPB out-rebounded SMU 36-34 in Monday’s game, led by Green’s eight boards.

UAPB did a great job disrupting SMU shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Peat’s two rejections led the way individually for the Lady Lions.

How It Happened

After falling behind 10-5, UAPB went on an 11-0 run with 5:02 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Walker, to take a 16-10 lead. The Golden Lions then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 16-12 advantage. UAPB did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.

SMU fought back to tie the game at 21-21 before UAPB went on a 6-0 run starting at the 3:41 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Jelissa Reese, to take a 27-21 lead. The Lady Lions proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 31-23 advantage heading into halftime. UAPB was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 15 points.

SMU then took a 43-42 lead following intermission before UAPB went on a 6-0 run to grab a 48-43 lead with 2:10 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Mustangs had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Lions still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-51 edge.

UAPB kept widening that lead, expanding it to 63-58 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Kourtney Rittenberry’s layup, to grow the lead to 69-58 with 4:04 to go in the contest. The Mustangs narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Lady Lions still held on for the 78-76 win. UAPB took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 16 of its 26 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» UAPB recorded 17 total assists in the game.
» UAPB had a 36-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UAPB defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Lady Lions were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Zaay Green led the Lady Lions with a game-high 23 points.
» UAPB got a team-high eight rebounds from Zaay Green.