UAPB Women Hoops: Shephard’s Career Night Lifts Lady Lions Over MVSU 76-60

ITTA BENA, MS – The UAPB women’s basketball team held Mississippi Valley State to just 19 percent from 3-point range in a 4-for-21 shooting performance on the way to a 76-60 win against the Delta Devils on the road Saturday.

The Golden Lions (11-10, 6-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Demetria Shephard, who had a career-high of 23 points. Coriah Beck added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Maya Peat chipped in as well with 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

UAPB collected 53 rebounds in Saturday’s game compared to Mississippi Valley State’s 40, led by Beck’s 11 boards. The Golden Lions also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 19 rebounds into 18 second chance points.

UAPB did a great job disrupting Mississippi Valley State shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Peat led the way individually for the Golden Lions with two rejections.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 13-5 advantage, UAPB went on a 6-0 run with 2:45 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Kourtney Rittenberry, to increase its lead to 19-5. The Golden Lions then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 21-7 advantage. UAPB did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 21 points close to the basket.

The Golden Lions maintained their lead in the game’s second frame and entered halftime with a 33-29 edge. UAPB saw non-starters score nine of its 12 total points off the bench in the quarter.

UAPB wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 12-0 run, punctuated by a three from Beck, to expand its lead further to 45-29 with 6:38 to go in the third. The Golden Lions held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 58-42 edge. UAPB took advantage of six Mississippi Valley State turnovers in the quarter, scoring 11 points off of takeaways.

UAPB kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 70-50 with 2:55 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 76-60 win. UAPB got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 16 of its 18 total points.

Game Notes

» Coriah Beck notched a double-double for the Golden Lions with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Golden Lions held the Delta Devils to only 31.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Golden Lions never trailed after taking a 21-7 first quarter lead.
» UAPB had a great day defensively, holding Mississippi Valley State to 19 percent from beyond the arc on 21 attempts.
» The UAPB bench made an impact by adding 42 points to its scoring output.
» UAPB had a 53-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The UAPB defense forced 18 turnovers.
» The Golden Lions were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Demetria Shephard led the Golden Lions with a game-high 23 points.
» Coriah Beck grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead UAPB and Zaay Green contributed 10.