Quarterfinals: Alabama State 48, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 46
SWAC.org
#3 Alabama State 48, #6 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 46
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Behind a double-double by Player of the Year Britney Wright, no. 3 seed Alabama State survived a scare from sixth-seeded Arkansas-Pine Bluff, prevailing 48-46 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome to advance to the semifinals of the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Both teams started slowly out of the gate, as Alabama State (14-15) led 8-3 at the end of one. UAPB (12-18) was 1-of-13 in the period. The Lady Hornets maintained control, but their grip on proceedings began to slip in the fourth, as Niya Head helped spark a 14-4 run that allowed UAPB to tie things 40-40 with 2:13 left. Wright keyed a burst of six unanswered for the Lady Hornets, who rebuilt their lead to 46-40. A three-point play by Head made it 46-43 with 12 ticks left, but Damya Toney iced it with free throws.
Wright ended the night with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Ziara Doe added 10 points and five boards for the Lady Hornets, who shot 32.1 percent from the floor. Head was a rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, albeit on 4-of-15 shooting.
Next for Alabama State as they embark on their title defense is second-seeded Texas Southern in the semifinal round.