The Alabama State Hornets pulled off a stunning 18-point upset over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, winning 79-61 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. This significant victory marks a major turnaround for Alabama State, who improved their record to 8-17, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell to 11-14. Jerquarius Stanback led the charge with 19 points and 6 rebounds, helping his team secure a crucial win. The Hornets outscored the Golden Lions 45-28 in the second half, capitalizing on their momentum to seal the deal.
Jerquarius Stanback's 19 Points Lead Alabama State to 18-Point Upset Victory
The game was closely contested in the first half, with Alabama State leading 34-33 at halftime. However, the Hornets came out strong in the second half, outscoring Arkansas-Pine Bluff 45-28 to take control of the game. The Golden Lions struggled to keep up, shooting just 35.7% from the field and committing 15 turnovers. Alabama State, on the other hand, shot 48.1% from the field and had 17 assists, showcasing their improved teamwork and coordination. With 13 minutes remaining in the game, Alabama State went on a 10-2 run, extending their lead to 12 points and putting the game out of reach for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Hornets' dominant performance in the second half ultimately led to their 18-point victory.
Jerquarius Stanback and Quion Williams were the top performers in the game, with Stanback scoring 19 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, while Williams had 23 points and 9 rebounds. Tyler Byrd added 14 points for Alabama State, and Micah Simpson contributed 13 points and 7 assists. For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jaquan Scott scored 15 points and had 6 rebounds, while Trevon Payton chipped in with 9 points. The Hornets' balanced offense and strong defensive effort allowed them to secure the win, with three players scoring in double figures. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, on the other hand, relied heavily on Williams' scoring, with the rest of the team struggling to find their rhythm.
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The Hornets outrebounded the Golden Lions 38-32, with a rebounding margin of +6. Alabama State also had a significant advantage in assists, with 17 compared to Arkansas-Pine Bluff's 10. The Hornets shot 48.1% from the field, while the Golden Lions managed just 35.7%. In terms of three-point shooting, Alabama State made 7 of 20 attempts, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff made just 4 of 17. The Hornets' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and limit the Golden Lions' chances ultimately led to their 18-point victory.
The CHD Scout model predicted an Alabama State win by 4.4 points, with a predicted score of 79-75. While the model correctly predicted the winner, it underestimated the margin of victory, as Alabama State won by 18 points. The actual score of 79-61 was a significant departure from the predicted score, highlighting the Hornets' dominant performance. The model's prediction was based on various factors, including the teams' past performances, strength of schedule, and statistical trends. Despite the discrepancy in the predicted margin, the model's correct prediction of the winner demonstrates its accuracy in assessing the relative strengths of the two teams.
This win was a Quadrant 4 victory for Alabama State, who improved their record to 8-17. The loss was also a Quadrant 4 game for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who fell to 11-14. In terms of NET rankings, Alabama State moved up to 318, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff dropped to 292. The Hornets' win will likely have a positive impact on their tournament resume, as they secured a significant upset victory over a team ranked higher in the NET rankings. The Golden Lions, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus in order to improve their chances of making a postseason run.
Alabama State's next game is scheduled for February 17th against the Texas Southern Tigers, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff will face the Prairie View A&M Panthers on February 18th. Both teams want to build on their recent performances, with Alabama State aiming to sustain their momentum and Arkansas-Pine Bluff seeking to bounce back from their disappointing loss.