Arkansas-Pine Bluff edged Prairie View A&M 84-82, securing a narrow two-point victory. The Golden Lions, ranked 317th in the NET, outlasted the Panthers, who sit 328th in the NET. Arkansas-Pine Bluff took control in the first half, outscoring Prairie View A&M 45-40, before the Panthers mounted a strong comeback in the second half, ultimately falling just short.
The game was a closely contested affair, with Prairie View A&M outscoring Arkansas-Pine Bluff 42-39 in the second half. In the end, Arkansas-Pine Bluff's offense proved sufficient to secure the win, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers. The victory marked a significant win for the Golden Lions, who will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming contests.
Quion Williams was a primary catalyst for Arkansas-Pine Bluff's victory, producing 20 points while contributing 4 rebounds and 5 assists. His shooting efficiency was marked by a 46.7% field goal percentage, although he struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 0-3 three-point attempts. Williams' ability to get to the free throw line, where he shot 6-8, helped supplement his scoring output.
Jaquan Scott and Milhan Charles also made significant contributions to the team's success. Scott posted a 100% field goal percentage, scoring 18 points while securing 7 rebounds, but did not register any assists. Meanwhile, Charles provided a scoring punch with 17 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and blocking one shot. His efficiency was highlighted by a 87.5% field goal percentage and a 100% three-point shooting mark.
Dontae Horne's 32 points were the high mark for Prairie View A&M, but ultimately fell short as the team came up just shy of a comeback. Despite shooting just 41.4% from the field, Horne's 2-7 three-point shooting and 12-14 free throw conversion rate helped keep him in double figures throughout the contest. However, his inability to consistently create for his teammates and control the tempo of the game was a notable aspect of the loss.
Lance Williams and Joey Madimba each had solid games, but neither was able to make a significant impact on the outcome. Williams' 18 points on 6-10 shooting from the field was a respectable effort, but his 2-5 three-point shooting and limited rebounding totals (4 rebounds) were not enough to tip the scales in Prairie View A&M's favor. Madimba, meanwhile, was shut down by Arkansas-Pine Bluff's defense, which held him to just 4-9 shooting from the field and limited him to a single assist.
Trevon Payton's performance stood out for its stark contrast to his season averages, particularly in the assists category, where he nearly doubled his average with 7 assists. This surge in playmaking ability not only helped facilitate the Golden Lions' offense but also showcased a level of court vision and decision-making that has been less evident in his other games this season. Conversely, Payton's rebounding total fell significantly short of his usual mark, a notable departure from his typical contributions in that area.
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Final
The pre-game prediction favored Prairie View A&M by 2.2 points, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff defied expectations to secure a 2-point victory. The discrepancy between prediction and reality can be attributed to a few key factors that contributed to the Golden Lions' success. One notable theme was Arkansas-Pine Bluff's explosive shooting performance, with an elevated effective field goal percentage of 65.1%, more than 15 percentage points above their season average. This marked improvement from beyond the arc, where they connected on 33.3% of their 3-point attempts, also significantly higher than their season average.
Another crucial aspect of the game was the Golden Lions' ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, securing a 26.1% rebounding rate in the game, albeit slightly below their season average. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M's typically strong rebounding prowess, which had them grabbing 33.3% of available boards in the game, ultimately proved insufficient to overcome Arkansas-Pine Bluff's shooting surge. The Panthers' own shooting woes, evident in their 54.8% eFG% and 27.8% 3PT%, also failed to keep pace with the Golden Lions' pace, ultimately sealing the outcome in favor of the home team.
The result of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff potentially moving off the bubble and into consideration for an automatic bid in a worst-case scenario. With a Quad 4 win, the Golden Lions' NET ranking has improved to #317, but their Quad 1 and Quad 2 records remain barren, limiting their chances of securing a high seed. However, a Quad 4 win in their final game may be enough to secure a 13-seed or worse. Conversely, Prairie View A&M's loss has likely sealed their fate, with a Quad 1 and Quad 2 record that remains nonexistent, making it difficult for them to crack the 68-team field. It's now clear that Arkansas-Pine Bluff's NET ranking is a significant step above Prairie View A&M's, a trend that will only become more pronounced in the coming weeks.