Arkansas-Pine Bluff's offense was firing on all cylinders as they took down Texas Southern 74-66 at H&PE Arena. The Golden Lions' balanced attack, led by Jaquan Scott's 18 points, proved too much for the Tigers to handle. Quion Williams turned in a stellar all-around performance, posting 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists to help Arkansas-Pine Bluff secure the win.
The Golden Lions set the tone early, taking a 34-25 lead into halftime. Texas Southern's Troy Hupstead did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the visitors' strong team effort. Alex Anderson also chipped in with 16 points for the Tigers, while Zaire Hayes added 11 points.
In the second half, Arkansas-Pine Bluff continued to push the pace, outscoring Texas Southern 40-41. Ramel Lloyd Jr. contributed 14 points for the Golden Lions, helping to seal the victory. Despite a strong showing from Hupstead, Texas Southern couldn't muster enough offense to mount a comeback.
The win improves Arkansas-Pine Bluff's record to 7-13, while Texas Southern falls to 5-13. This matchup was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, and the outcome will have minimal impact on their respective tournament resumes. However, for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the victory is a positive step forward, demonstrating their ability to perform on the road against a struggling opponent.
With a current net ranking of 302, Arkansas-Pine Bluff still has a long way to go to become a serious tournament contender. Nevertheless, this win shows that they have the potential to compete against teams in the lower tiers of the rankings. Texas Southern, on the other hand, want to regroup and try to build momentum in their upcoming games. Their current net ranking of 344 leaves them with an uphill climb to become relevant in the tournament conversation.
The Golden Lions' performance will be a welcome boost to their confidence, and they want to carry this momentum forward into their next game. While this win may not significantly alter their tournament chances, it is a crucial step in the right direction. As the season progresses, Arkansas-Pine Bluff must continue to demonstrate their ability to win on the road and against tougher opponents if they hope to make a push for the postseason. For now, they can savor this hard-fought victory over Texas Southern.