PINE BLUFF, AR – Playing on their hardwood for the first time and itching to get a win, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team completed the task and would get their first victory of the season against Arkansas Baptist with a final score of 75-70 on Monday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The Golden Lions had five players finish the night with double figures.
Trey Sampson led the way for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, finishing with 21 points and six rebounds.
Following Sampson was Brahm Harris with 16 points and an impressive seven rebounds.
Kylen Milton had his third consecutive double-digit game with 13 points, with eight points from free throws. Milton also grabbed seven rebounds.
Brandon Brown acquired another double-double on the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Golden Lions. Brown also added five assists.
Shawn Williams finished the game with ten points and six assists.
In the first two minutes of gameplay, the Golden Lions got off to a fast 9-0 start with a smooth Harris layup from an efficiently ran set, two Sampson hook shots, and a Williams step-back three-pointer to get an early momentum boost. However, things would then get a bit sluggish for UAPB, allowing Arkansas Baptist back in the game to chop the lead down to two points.
Harris knew he would be the one to step up for the Golden Lions and would knock down two huge three-pointers in transition to bump the lead back up to ten over Arkansas Baptist.
ABC tried to shorten the lead again later in the half, making the matchup a five-point game but an 8-1 run including a Harris fastbreak three-pointer and three perfect free throws from Milton would extend the Golden Lion lead, giving them the halftime advantage with a score of 36-29 leading Arkansas Baptist.
Looking to come out and extend their lead against Arkansas Baptist, bits of the Golden Lion energy was left in the locker room, causing Arkansas-Pine Bluff to go back-and-forth each possession with the Buffaloes. A Brown layup and a Sampson one-handed jam generated a demanding amount of energy for UAPB to gain an eight-point lead over ABC halfway through the second half.
Williams stepped up huge in the clutch with four minutes left of play, sinking a three-pointer from the wing. Immediately on the next possession, a dime from Milton to Williams allowed Williams to draw a foul on a perimeter jumper, getting continuation for a four-point play.
The Golden Lions would then take their first victory of the season with a final score of 75-70.
“We’re blessed to come out with a victory, but we have more work to do and have to be better,” said UAPB head coach Solomon Bozeman about the win.
The Golden Lions will get back on the road to take on No. 19 Iowa State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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