Golden Lions clinch top seed in SWAC tourney with 94-57 blowout over Mississippi

[Seminole Indian]

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions dismantled Mississippi Valley State University 94-57 at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Senior Night in the regular season finale. UAPB finishes in second place overall in the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season standings and enters the tournament as the number one overall seed and will face the eight seed Mississippi Valley in a rematch just three days later on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. H.O. Clemmons Arena in the quarterfinal round of the 2018 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament.

In the first half the Golden Lions led 42-25 and scored 17 baskets, including five 3-pointers. As a team UAPB missed only six free throws all game and ended the game shooting 52 percent from the field while holding its opponent to just 39 percent. Mississippi Valley managed 32 second half points but UAPB poured on 52 second half points of its own. The Devils committed twice as many turnovers (24) as the Golden Lions (12). UAPB's bench outscored Valley 47-12 while the rebound battle was virtually a push (37-36 in favor of UAPB).

UAPB (12-20, 12-6 SWAC) was led by Martaveous McKnight who finished with a team-high 18 points (7-of-11 from the field), five assists, four steals and three boards while fellow Golden Lion Joe'Randle Toliver scored 16 points, grabbed seven boards, dished out seven assists and had four steals in the win. Trent Steen had a solid game and finished with 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked two shots and had two steals in 25 minutes while teammate Quamauri Hardy scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and made 3-of-4 free throws.

Travon Harper chipped in with nine points and finished with two blocks and two rebounds.

Mississippi Valley (4-27, 4-14 SWAC) was led by Dante Scott who finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field.

http://www.uapblionsroar.com/news/2018/3/4/mens-basketball-golden-lions-clinch-top-seed-in-swac-tourney-with-94-57-blowout-over-mississippi-valley.aspx