UAPB Golden Lions struggle from start with MVSU Delta Devils

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As was the theme for the regular season, a promising start gave way to a disappointing finish for the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.

Sixth-seeded UAPB, which easily won its Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal game Thursday, was no match for second-seeded Mississippi Valley State on Friday, losing 70-59 at Fair Park Arena.

The Golden Lions (13-18 ), who were picked in preseason to finish second and opened with a 5-2 conference record, lost nine of their last 13 games.

Mississippi Valley State (16-15 ) will take on the Alabama State-Jackson State winner in the final at 6 p.m. today. The tournament champion will get the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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Alabama State's NCAA hopes dashed by Jackson State; ASU prepares for NIT

Photo: Alabama State University Hornets head coach Lewis Jackson falls short winning the SWAC tournament championship and NCAA tournament slot.

BIRMINGHAM -- After a dominating regular season that saw Alabama State lose just three times in conference play, most figured the SWAC tournament was a mere formality. For the Hornets to falter in Birmingham, it would take a perfect storm of bad luck, bad play and bad calls.

The storm hit Friday night.

ASU committed 16 turnovers, never looked in sync offensively, rarely got a loose ball or good roll and had close call after close call go against them. Fourth-seeded Jackson State knocked off Hornets in overtime, 77-72.

"Our offense wasn't running smooth all night," ASU head coach Lewis Jackson said. "I thought we settled for jump shots too much and allowed them to take away our inside game. They were more aggressive than us. Down the stretch, they fought harder for it."

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That's the way the ball bounces--on any given Friday anyone can get upset if they don't bring their 'A' game, as the Hornets didn't. Too bad that the representative from the SWAC will probably have to play in the dreaded play-in game for the 65th slot in the NCAA tournament.

Congratulations to Mississippi Vally State University (16-15) and Jackson State University (14-19) as they battle today for the SWAC championship and NCAA automatic position.

Congratulations to Alabama State University Hornets for a 20-10 season and the possibility of receiving a consolation prize of an NIT berth.

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Golden Lions knock out Alabama A&M in SWAC first round

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Familiarity breeds confidence. The Arkansas-Pine Bluff men’s basketball team knows that motto, especially considering that they were going up against an opponent they had defeated twice during the regular season.

With their 72-59 victory over Alabama A&M Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, the Golden Lions defeated the Bulldogs three times this season.

UAPB (13-17, 8-10 No. 6 SWAC) will take on second-seeded Mississippi Valley State at 2:30 p.m. today in Birmingham, Ala. in the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament.

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No offense, but ASU too much for TSU

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Following Alabama State's final regular-season game -- a 20-point thrashing of Jackson State -- ASU head coach Lewis Jackson made no secret of the fact that he was unhappy with his team's defense. The Hornets had allowed 83 points, and that was simply unacceptable in Jackson's world.

So, in an effort to please their head coach, the ASU players went into their match up with Texas Southern in the first round of the SWAC Tournament on Wednesday with a defense-first mindset. Pretty much everything the TSU tried, the Hornets shut them down.

The Tigers shot a meager 26 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded by 15. ASU won easily, 67-49.

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Last chance for A&M seniors to grab SWAC title

Bulldogs will meet Mississippi Valley Thursday

They came at a time when the women's basketball program at Alabama A&M wasn't very good. In fact, when Rebekkah Barnes, Felicia Drummond and Christian Malone and company showed up four years ago, the Bulldogs were in the midst of their sixth straight losing season.

Still, they took a chance and it paid off.

"The best decision is not always the most popular decision," said Barnes, who is from Tampa, Fla. "It's where you feel the most comfortable and where you can make your presence felt." Combined, they have certainly made their presence felt.

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`Sweet Lew' has ASU basketball atop SWAC

Photo: Alabama State University head baskeball coach Lewis Jackson.

They call him "Sweet Lew" because of the silky stroke he had sinking jump shots for coach James Oliver. It can only get sweeter for Alabama State University basketball fans if Lewis Jackson can lead his team to three more victories starting Wednesday night at Fair Park Arena.

Three more wins and regular-season champion ASU earns its third automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. Three more wins and boyhood dreams of playing on college basketball's biggest stage will come true for the 19-9 Hornets.

Jackson, though, has already reached one of his lifetime goals.

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