Arkansas-Pine Bluff's trip to the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex was a successful one, as they defeated Mississippi Valley State 78-70. The Golden Lions were led by Milhan Charles, who had a stellar performance with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. This win was predicted by CHD Scout, who had Arkansas-Pine Bluff winning by 9.1 points, and although the margin was slightly less, the outcome was correct.
The game got off to a strong start for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who took a 30-24 lead into halftime. Mississippi Valley State's Michael James kept his team in the game, scoring 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Lions' balanced attack. James' performance was impressive, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff's depth and rebounding edge ultimately made the difference. The Golden Lions outrebounded Mississippi Valley State, with key contributions from Charles, Quion Williams, and Jaquan Scott.
In the second half, Arkansas-Pine Bluff continued to pull away, outscoring Mississippi Valley State 48-46. The Delta Devils made a push late in the game, but the Golden Lions' lead was too much to overcome. Williams added 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, while Scott chipped in with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
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Mississippi Valley State's Daniel Mayfield and Xzayvion Childress also had notable performances, with Mayfield scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, and Childress contributing 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Lions' strong team effort.
This game was a Quad 4 matchup for both teams, which means it won't carry much weight in terms of NCAA tournament implications. However, for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the win improves their record to 8-13 and keeps them in the mix for a potential postseason berth in their conference tournament. Mississippi Valley State, on the other hand, falls to 1-21, and their chances of making a run in the conference tournament appear slim.
The win for Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a positive step forward, and their performance will be a boost to their resume. With a current net ranking of 305, the Golden Lions still have work to do to improve their standing, but this win is a step in the right direction. As for Mississippi Valley State, they want to regroup and try to find a way to turn their season around, but for now, they remain at the bottom of the rankings with a net ranking of 365.