Arkansas-Pine Bluff Holds Off Late Valley State Rally, Advances 81-74

Arkansas-Pine Bluff weathered a furious second-half comeback from Mississippi Valley State to escape with an 81-74 victory in SWAC Tournament play, with India Bowden finishing with 19 points to lead the Golden Lions into the next round.

The Golden Lions wasted little time asserting themselves. After Janiya Jones gave Mississippi Valley State an early 2-0 lead on a turnaround jumper, Arkansas-Pine Bluff flipped the game quickly. Jailah Pelly tied it on a fast-break layup, and Khaniah Gardner and Indiya Bowen followed to push the lead to 7-2. The Devilettes never truly recovered in the first quarter, as Gardner and Tyra Taylor continued to punish them on the offensive glass. By the end of the opening period, Arkansas-Pine Bluff led 26-12.

Mississippi Valley State showed more life in the second quarter. Jones was relentless, scoring on transition baskets, a second-chance opportunity, and a three-pointer to help the Devilettes claw back into it. Sydnei Marshall and Nairobi Lewis also chipped in as Valley State trimmed the deficit to single digits at points, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff always had an answer. Bowen knocked down a three and Pelly added a layup and free throw to push the lead back out to 44-35 at halftime.

The third quarter is where the game got interesting. Kylah McCullers came out aggressive in the paint, and Jaeda Murphy scored off a turnover to bring Valley State within three at 44-41. The Devilettes had all the momentum, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff steadied itself. Gardner, Briontanay Marshall, and Jakyra Jackson pushed the lead back to 52-41 heading into the fourth.

Valley State refused to go away. Murphy hit a fast-break layup, Jones drained a clutch three-pointer, and Marshall added a basket to bring the Devilettes within two with time still on the clock. The crowd had a game on its hands.

But Arkansas-Pine Bluff made enough plays down the stretch to survive. Gardner and Jackson responded each time Valley State threatened, and a key offensive rebound led to a Bowen free throw that pushed the lead to 78-74. Jones had one final chance with a three-pointer to tie, but it rimmed out and the Golden Lions sealed the win 81-74.

Bowden’s 19-point effort led Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who will now face second-seeded Alcorn State in the next round of the SWAC Tournament.