Ohanta leads Pine Bluff to New Years Day win at MVSU

SWAC Communications

ITTA BENA, Miss. – Behind a 19-point, 10-rebound effort by Faith Ohanta, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-8, 1-0 SWAC) fended off a Mississippi Valley State (0-14, 0-1) comeback attempt to win a 64-59 contest at R.W. Harrison HPER Arena Monday evening.

Malaik Muhammad added 17 points and five rebounds to aid the Lady Lions’ cause. Shawntayla Harris swatted four shots.

UAPB went on an 8-0 run to open the first period, and Mississippi Valley’s first points came at the hands of Makalya Bonner at 6:46. After being out paced in the opening minutes, the Devilettes unleashed an eight-point run of their own to tie the contest at 8-8 with 4:35 remaining in the quarter. The remaining time was spent with both teams attempting to outmaneuver the other and ending with a 17-17 score.

During the second and third quarters the momentum swung in favor of the Lady Lions as they were able to outscore the Devilettes 18-10 and 14-8 in the second and third quarters, respectively.

Down 14 entering the fourth, the Devilettes pushed forward, twice getting within four of the Lady Lions. However, the Lady Lions iced matters from the charity stripe. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s bench scored 38 points, while the MVSU bench tallied 17. Mississippi Valley scored 21 points off turnovers.

LaKendra Bassett led the Devilettes with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Kristy Parker tallied 14 points, five rebounds and one assist. Bonner had eight-points and eight rebounds.