PINE BLUFF, AR – After gaining their first home win in their homecourt debut last week against Arkansas Baptist, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team were prepared to acquire a home winning streak in their new gold threads but would fall to Arkansas State with a final score of 84-73 on Wednesday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Brandon Brown led the Golden Lions in scoring, putting up 21 points and snatching 11 rebounds to secure another double-double.
Dequan Morris had an impressive home debut, finishing with 19 points, shooting 63 percent from the field. Morris also collected four steals.
In his first game back since Wyoming, Morris was hype to suit up again and be back on the floor with his teammates. Starting in front of his hometown, Morris understood there was a show to put on.
Instantly from the tip, Morris’ confidence was high, kicking off an isolated game and would go at an A-State defender one-on-one for a stop-and-pop elbow jumper to start things off the right way for the Golden Lions. He instantly read that the Arkansas State defense could not stop him and his explosiveness off the dribble as he would snake-dribble through the defense on a fastbreak for another stop-and-pop jumper.
Off an Arkansas State missed jumper, Kylen Milton grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball up the floor, and ahead of him would be Sampson, pointing his finger up to signal an alley-oop and would execute the fastbreak play just right to gain lots of momentum for the Golden Lions.
Brown and Morris were the guys to set a roaring tone for the Golden Lions in the first half, combining for 25 of the 48 Arkansas-Pine Bluff points while also getting the rest of the team involved to lead Arkansas State 48-38 at halftime.
“Dequan is our glue, and Brandon just brings that toughness every night,” said UAPB head coach Solomon Bozeman about the dynamic duo.
With Arkansas-Pine Bluff up by ten points after the half, Arkansas State would go on a 4-1 run to chop the Golden Lion lead down to just three points, but five Morris points would allow UAPB to re-widen the lead.
Arkansas State would tie things up at 65 points halfway through the half, causing both teams to go back and forth. The Redwolves gained a five-point lead and would not look back against the Golden Lions, resulting in a loss with a final score of 84-73.
“We have to do better defensively. The effort just wasn’t there in the second half,” said Bozeman about the loss to Arkansas State.
UAPB men’s basketball will return to the hardwood against #7 Texas on the road on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
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