PINE BLUFF, Ark. | Kaila Walker's 13 points in the fourth quarter helped the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team (16-8, 9-3 SWAC) surge past the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 69-55 on Thursday evening. The win marks AAMU's second victory over the Golden Lions this season after the Bulldogs topped UAPB 66-52 in the opening weekend of conference play.

The Lady Bulldogs took control from senior Aniya Palmer's opening basket and never relinquished their lead. While the Golden Lions had brief surges of momentum in the first half, AAMU remained in command throughout the game.Walker led the charge with 21 total points, while senior Lauryn Pendleton added 16 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Jaiyah Harris-Smith led the team with seven assists.

UAPB's Stephanie Okowi finished the contest with a double-double , notching12 points and 12 rebounds. D'Arrah Allen led the Lions with 18 points and picked up five rebounds on the night.

AAMU expand its lead in the overall series with the Golden Lions to 30-14. Alabama A&M head coach Dawn Thornton remains undefeated against UAPB and records her second victory over UAPB since leaving the Golden Lion program.

HOW IT HAPPENED  
The Lady Bulldogs came out strong in the first quarter, going on a 9-0 run with Pendleton accounting for five of those points. The Golden Lions attempted to claw back, scoring 10 points with less than three minutes remaining in the frame, but the Bulldogs maintained control, ending the quarter with a 23-12 lead.

Despite a strong start in the first quarter, AAMU only mustered 11 points in the second stanza, a drop from its 23-point opening period. Led by Okowi, the Golden Lions picked up offensive intensity, shooting 7-12 from the field. Still, the Lady Bulldogs maintained control of the contest, heading into halftime ahead 34-27.

Within the first minute of the third quarter, Mailyn Wilkerson and the Bulldogs ignited an 8-2 run. Their force slowly faded as they added just seven more points, shooting 1-of-3 from beyond the arc. Pine Bluff also struggled from deep, going 1-of-7 from three-point range. Despite the offensive struggles, Alabama A&M finished the period with an 11 point lead (49-38)  

Walker led the Bulldogs with a dominant final quarter, scoring 13 points and remaining perfect from the foul line, sinking all seven of her free throws. Despite the Golden Lions posting their highest-scoring period of the game with 17 points, it would not be enough, as the Bulldogs secured a 69-55 victory. 

GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M shot 47.4 percent (27-of-47) from the field and 57.9 percent (11-19) from the line
• AAMU went 11-19 (57.9 percent) from the line
• The Bulldogs grabbed 37 total rebounds, 22 of them defensively
• Walker finished with 21 points and four rebounds
• Pendleton picked up 16 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
• Harris-Smith concluded with seven assists and four offensive rebounds
• The Bulldogs finished with 44 points in the paint, 15 bench points, and 23 points from 21 Golden Lion turnovers
• The Golden Lions shot 41.1 percent (23-of-56) from the field, 71.4 percent from the line (5-of-7) and 21.1 percent (4-19) from behind the arc
• Pine Bluff grabbed 34 rebounds
• Stephanie Okowi scored 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
• D'Arrah Allen finished with 18 points and five rebounds
• UAPB saw 32 points in the paint, 17 bench points, and tallied 18 points off of Bulldog turnovers

UP NEXT 

The Bulldogs travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to take on the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. with the men's game to follow after. The contest can be live streamed here.

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