PINE BLUFF, Ark. — In an exhilarating conclusion to the regular season, Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt successfully sunk two crucial free throws with only three seconds on the clock, propelling Alcorn State to a 65-63 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. This win marked the end of the regular season for both teams as they clashed on Saturday.
Alcorn State Braves concluded their season with a record of 11-20 overall and 11-7 in conference play, securing the sixth spot in the standings. This position grants them a first-round bye as they advance directly to the quarterfinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Atlanta. Conversely, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions ended their season standing 11th, just one game short of making it to the conference tournament.
Julian Lual was a key contributor for the Braves, leading with 15 points and capturing five rebounds. Gaines-Wyatt also made his presence felt by contributing 11 points, despite a challenging shooting performance of 4 for 11 from the field, including just 1 for 6 from three-point range. Omari Hamilton also provided offensive support by scoring nine points, thanks to his accurate 3 for 4 shooting from beyond the arc.
On the side of the Golden Lions, Doctor Bradley delivered an outstanding performance, posting 20 points along with 10 rebounds and five assists. Raphael Dumont added 16 points to the team’s effort, while Caleb Jones chipped in with a solid 13 points.
Though the season concludes differently for these two teams, the brave finale sets the stage for what promises to be a competitive tournament as Alcorn State looks forward to their upcoming challenge in Atlanta.
