Late Three Not Enough as Alcorn State Falls to Arkansas–Pine Bluff 63–60

Alcorn State came out sharp in the opening quarter and set the tone early with strong defensive activity and efficient scoring. Dalayja Hurt-Floyd opened the game with a three-pointer, and the Braves quickly built momentum behind transition play and forced turnovers. Lauren Nelson added a fast-break layup and a turnaround jumper, while Hurt-Floyd continued to score early as Alcorn stretched the lead to 9–2. Arkansas–Pine Bluff struggled to find offensive rhythm for much of the quarter, but Jailah Pelly and Khaniah Gardner helped keep the Golden Lions within reach. Pelly knocked down a three-pointer late in the period, and Gardner added a driving layup in the closing seconds as Alcorn State took an 11–9 lead after one.

In the second quarter, Alcorn State briefly maintained control. Lauren Nelson scored on multiple second-chance opportunities, and the Braves pushed their lead to 15–11. But Arkansas–Pine Bluff began to settle in defensively and completely shifted the game with pressure, rebounding, and free-throw scoring. The Golden Lions forced several turnovers and turned them into points, while Pelly and Gardner led the response offensively. Arkansas–Pine Bluff closed the half on a powerful run, using free throws and interior scoring to erase the deficit and build a 25–18 lead by halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Arkansas–Pine Bluff. The Golden Lions came out of the break aggressive, immediately forcing more turnovers and cashing in with transition baskets. Pelly scored back-to-back fast-break layups, Gardner added paint points, and Indiya Bowen connected on a step-back three as the lead grew to 15 and then 17. Arkansas–Pine Bluff continued to capitalize on Alcorn State mistakes and led by as many as 18 late in the quarter. Alcorn State did have some answers, with Kiarra Henderson scoring on second-chance looks and Nakia Cheatham getting to the foul line, but the Braves could not consistently slow the Golden Lions. Arkansas–Pine Bluff took a 53–35 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, Alcorn State made one last push and nearly turned the game into a dramatic finish. Cheatham opened the quarter with a three-pointer, and Henderson became the engine of the comeback with strong finishes in the paint, transition baskets, and hustle plays on the glass. The Braves chipped away at the margin, cutting the deficit from 17 down to single digits and eventually to just five after late scores from Lauren Nelson and Henderson. Arkansas–Pine Bluff answered key runs with timely baskets from Pelly, Bowen, and Jakyra Jackson, plus important free throws in the final minute. Alcorn State kept fighting, and Cheatham buried a three-pointer with six seconds left to pull the Braves within 63–60, but Arkansas–Pine Bluff held on in the closing moments to complete the comeback win.

Arkansas–Pine will play the winner of Grambling State vs. Alabama State this Friday at 5:30pm