UAPB Women’s Hoops Stellar Offense Lifts Lady Lions Over Texas Southern 81-62; 100th Career Win for Thornton

PINE BLUFF, AR – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball team shot 50 percent from deep on the way to an 81-62 victory over the Texas Southern Tigers at home Monday, which also marked head coach Dawn Thornton’s 100th career win.

The Golden Lions (15-13, 10-5) had four players score in double figures, led by Coriah Beck, who had 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Maya Peat tacked on a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds and Kaila Walker chipped in as well with 15 points and seven assists.

UAPB pulled down 38 rebounds in Monday’s game compared to Texas Southern’s 36, led by Peat’s 14 boards. The Golden Lions also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 12 rebounds into 15 second chance points.

UAPB did a great job disrupting Texas Southern shots in the contest, coming away with eight blocks. Maori Davenport led the way individually for the Golden Lions with three rejections.

How It Happened

After falling behind 13-11, UAPB went on a 10-0 run with 2:57 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Beck, to take a 21-13 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. UAPB did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 21 points close to the basket.

UAPB kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 8:56 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Tia Morgan, to increase its lead to 27-15. The Tigers cut into that lead, but the Golden Lions still enjoyed a 38-29 advantage heading into halftime. UAPB scored seven of its 17 total points in the period on second chance opportunities created by pulling down five offensive rebounds.

UAPB continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 46-32 with 5:49 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Golden Lions added eight points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 61-39 edge. UAPB took advantage of six Texas Southern turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of takeaways.

UAPB kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Beck’s layup, to grow the lead to 70-44 with 7:15 to go in the contest. The Tigers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Lions still cruised the rest of the way for the 81-62 win. UAPB took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 20 points in the paint.

Game Notes

» Maya Peat notched a double-double for the Golden Lions with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
» The Golden Lions made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down six of 12 shots.
» The Golden Lions held the Tigers to only 30.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Golden Lions never trailed after taking a 21-13 first quarter lead.
» UAPB recorded 19 total assists in the game.
» UAPB had a 38-36 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, recording eight blocks as a team.
» UAPB cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Coriah Beck led the Golden Lions with a game-high 21 points.
» UAPB got a game-high 14 rebounds from Maya Peat.