ITTA BENA, Miss. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff edged Mississippi Valley State 68-66 Saturday after a late foul sent the Golden Lions to the free-throw line with less than a second remaining.
A Devilettes defender was called for a shooting foul on a three-pointer, giving Arkansas-Pine Bluff two free throws that proved decisive. The game was tied at 66 when the foul was called, according to the school.
Mississippi Valley State, with a 4-15 overall record and 3-5 in the SWAC, nearly forced overtime. The Golden Lions improved to 7-12 overall and 4-5 in conference play. The teams have split their series since 2010, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff leading 18-12.
Ariel Jefferson led Mississippi Valley State with 18 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. Jaeda Murphy added 11 points, six assists, and four steals, while Nairobi Lewis scored a season-high 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Ja’la Douglas set a career high with three steals and contributed five rebounds.
The Devilettes will host Alcorn State on Thursday to open February, the middle game of a three-game homestand. The game tips off at 7 p.m., and fans can follow the team on social media for updates.
