PINE BLUFF, Ark.—The Hornets first conference road trip did not start the way the Hornets wanted as they dropped a 73-58 decision at The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
UAPB led from start to finish as they took got after the Hornets from the opening tip, holding the Hornets to 33 percent shooting for the game.
“They were the aggressors all night long,” Head Coach
Lewis Jackson said. “We talked about how aggressive their defense would be and for all of our new guys this is their first conference road game and they found out it is difficult to play on the road in this league. You have to be tough both mentally and physically and tonight we weren't.”
Stephawn Brown led ASU offensively with 13 points and
Jamel Waters added 10.
The Hornets did knock down eight of their 23 thee point attempts for 35 percent, but struggled from the free throw line only hitting 10 of their 18 from the charity stripe (56 percent).
ASU out rebounded the taller Golden Lions 39-35 and
Shawntez Patterson led the way with nine. Denzell McDaniel had a game-high seven assists.
“We had shots around the basket all night long and we only shot 30 or 35 percent from the field,” Jackson said. “We had all of those point blank shots at the basket and we just did not finish them at all. It was just a timid ball game all the way around.”
UAPB had three players reach double digits led by Daniel Broughton's 19. Davon Haynes added 17 and Lazabian Jackson had 10. Broughton completed a double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds.
UAPB shot 48 percent from the field and was able to get to the free throw line where they attempted 30, only hitting 16.
Haynes scored 10 first half points to lead UAPB to a 34-24 halftime lead. While the Golden Lions were able to shoot 45 percent from the field in the half, their defense held the Hornets to only 33 percent shooting.
ASU turned the ball over eight times against the UAPB pressure defense. Brown scored 10 first half points to lead ASU while Patterson grabbed six rebounds as ASU out rebounded UAPB 22-15.
“We have to get over this game and get down to Valley and see if we can pull that one out,” Jackson said. “You want to go on the road and win both of these games, but now we have to concentrate on winning the one on Tuesday night.”
The Hornets loss stopped their three-game winning streak and drops ASU to 4-12 overall and 2-1 in conference action. UAPB moves to 3-11 overall and 2-0 in the conference. ASU continues their road trip at Mississippi Valley State Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
