UAPB Women Hoops Rally Late, But Fall To Southern U. In Conference Finals
BIRMINGHAM, AL —The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team took a 41-38 lead into the fourth quarter, but fell 62-53 to the Southern Lady Jaguars at Bartow Arena Saturday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.
UAPB made a historical run by advancing to the conference finals for the first time in the history of the program.
The Lady Lions had four players score in double figures, led by Demetria Shephard, who had 13 points and seven assists. Maori Davenport added a double-double off of the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds and Maya Peat chipped in as well with 10 points.
Shephard pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for UAPB, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into 19 second chance points.
UAPB’s defense held Southern to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field, including 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
UAPB kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 12-10.
Southern kept adding to that lead, building a 24-21 advantage before UAPB went on a 5-0 run to take a 26-24 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. UAPB dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
UAPB surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 27-27 they went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a three from Shephard, to grab a 33-27 lead with 5:45 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lady Jaguars had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Lions still entered the fourth quarter with a 41-38 edge. UAPB knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.
Southern then erased the UAPB lead in the game’s final quarter for a 62-53 comeback victory. UAPB got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring four of its 12 total points.
Game Notes
» Maori Davenport notched a double-double for the Lady Lions with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Lady Lions held the Lady Jaguars to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Lions shared the ball well, recording an assist on 63 percent of made field goals.
» UAPB bench made an impact by scoring 25 points to its scoring output.
» Demetria Shephard and Maori Davenport came off the bench to score 13 and 12 points, respectively.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Demetria Shephard led the Lady Lions with 13 points.
» UAPB got a game-high 11 rebounds from Maori Davenport.
The Lady Lions will be one of the top teams in the conference next season returning 15 players on a program that’s on the rise.
