UAPB Claims Win Over Men's Basketball In Game of Runs

Texas Southern dropped its SWAC home opener 74-66 to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday evening in a game of runs.

The Golden Lions scored their first three baskets to open the game for an early 8-2 lead but Zaire Hayes and Troy Hupstead combined for 10 points to spark a 12-2 run and a 14-10 TSU lead. The momentum would shift back to UAPB over the next six minutes as they responded to TSU's surge with a 22-4 run to claim a 32-18 lead as they only missed two shots during that span while TSU struggled with four turnovers and two field goals during the stretch. TSU managed to stop the bleeding as the half came to a close with a 7-2 run for a 34-25 halftime deficit.

The run extended to 9-2 early on as Hupstead's layup dropped the deficit to 34-27 but UAPB countered with a 9-2 run to lead 43-29. Alex Anderson willed TSU back into single digits over the next 1:39 as he scored six of the next eight points over the next 1:39 as they trailed 45-37. UAPB would continue its game of runs over the next 2:06 with a 9-2 run for its largest lead of the night (56-39) but TSU would continue its see-saw contest as Hupstead scored five points while the defense forced three turnovers for a 13-2 run and a 58-52 deficit with 4:41 left.

With TSU clawing back, UAPB's Alex Mirhosseini hit two free throws to up the lead to eight and a TSU turnover turned into a three-point play by UAPB and an 11-point deficit with 4:03 left. TSU's Zytarious Mortle drained a trey to get within 63-55 but that would be the closest TSU would get from that point as UAPB finished the contest perfect from the field as both teams scored 11 points apiece down the stretch.

Hupstead finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds followed by 16 from Anderson. Hayes added 11 while Jalen Wysinger scored 10.

TSU is back in action Monday night against Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m. inside the H&PE Arena.