UAPB's 7-game win streak snapped with 1 point loss to Grambling

[Seminole Indian]

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions basketball team suffered its first Southwestern Athletic Conference defeat with a 69-68 loss to the Grambling State Tigers at H.O. Clemmons Arena. UAPB was led by Charles Jackson who finished with a team-high 14 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field to go along with three steals while fellow Golden Lion Travon Harper chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block.

With less than five seconds remaining on the game clock and his team trailing 69-65, sharp shooter Joe'Randle Toliver launched up and nailed a desperation 3-pointer which brought his team within one point, but UAPB could not grab the defensive board to attempt the potential game-winner after a missed Grambling free throw following a UAPB foul. 

Martaveous McKnight had a relatively quiet game and scored just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field. However, he grabbed a team high 10 rebounds to go along with five assists, five turnovers and three steals.

Grambling (9-12, 5-3 SWAC) produced four scorers in double-figures. Ivy smith Jr. led the way with 18 points for the Tigers and buried 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. The game marked Grambling's fifth win in a row and snapped UAPB's seven-game win streak.

As a team the Golden Lions (7-15, 7-1 SWAC) shot 47 percent from the field while holding its opponents to 42 percent. Grambling hit 5-of-15 from downtown while the Golden Lions shot 6-for-22 from three-point land. The Tigers won the rebound battle 42-32 and forced 18 UAPB turnovers while turning the ball over 15 times.

UAPB trailed by just five points at the break and climbed back into the game in the second half behind a crowd of over 5,000. Both teams struggled from the free throw line; UAPB shot 12-for-22 from the free throw line while Grambling shot 14-for-26.

UAPB returns to action on Monday, January 29 as it hosts Jackson State University in SWAC action. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in H.O. Clemmons Arena.

Jackson State currently sits in second place in the SWAC while the Golden Lions still sit in first place.

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