UAPB Womens Hoops Comes Up Shy of Upset Over #25 Mississippi State 77-68

KATY, TX – The UAPB women’s basketball team fell short in a 77-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Leonard E. Merrell Center Saturday.

The Golden Lions had two players score in double figures, led by Zaay Green, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Coriah Beck tacked on 13 points and two blocks and Jelissa Reese added nine points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Beck pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for UAPB, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into seven second chance points.

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

How It Happened

After playing to a 2-2 tie early in the game, UAPB went on a 6-0 run with 8:03 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Corina Carter, to take an 8-2 lead. Mississippi State then responded to tie things up at 20-20 heading into the second quarter. UAPB did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.

The Bulldogs then took control in the second quarter and the Golden Lions entered halftime behind 43-33.

Mississippi State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 56-45 advantage before UAPB went on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Kaila Walker, to trim its deficit to 56-53 with 1:37 to go in the third. Mississippi State countered and stretched its lead to 59-55 heading into the fourth. UAPB played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 22 points in the paint.

UAPB could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 77-68. UAPB fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 13 points.

Game Notes

» UAPB tallied 15 total assists in the game.
» The UAPB defense forced 13 turnovers.
» The Golden Lions were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Zaay Green led the Golden Lions with 19 points.
» UAPB got a team-high seven rebounds from Zaay Green.