PINE BLUFF, Ark. (Interstat) — The Alabama A&M women’s basketball team used a dominant defensive performance and a commanding effort on the glass to secure a decisive 72-49 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Saturday at HPER Complex.

The Bulldogs (5-9, 1-1 SWAC) never trailed, establishing control early and methodically pulling away from the Lady Golden Lions (3-9, 0-2). The most pivotal stretch of the game came in the second quarter, where Alabama A&M’s defense completely stifled the home team’s offense. After leading 19-12 after the first period, the Bulldogs held Arkansas-Pine Bluff to just six points in the second quarter, extending their lead to 34-18 by halftime. That 15-6 quarter proved to be the definitive turning point, as the Lady Golden Lions could not recover from the 16-point deficit.

Jaida Belton, a 6-foot-4 junior from Baltimore, Maryland, was the game’s most impactful player. She recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, adding three blocked shots in just 26 minutes of action. Her presence in the paint anchored Alabama A&M’s defensive effort and overwhelmed Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the boards. Belton’s performance marked a significant rebound from her previous outing, a two-point loss at Mississippi Valley State on Thursday where she played only 16 minutes.

Alabama A&M’s offense was efficient, shooting 44.4% from the field and a stellar 90.9% from the free-throw line, making 20 of 22 attempts. The Bulldogs dominated inside, outscoring the Lady Golden Lions 38-20 in the paint and securing 16 offensive rebounds which led to numerous second-chance opportunities. They also capitalized on mistakes, scoring 23 points off 16 Arkansas-Pine Bluff turnovers.

Kaila Walker, a guard from Alexander, Arkansas, led all scorers with 17 points, while Rakiyah Beal of Detroit added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Maori Davenport contributed nine points off the bench.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff struggled offensively throughout, shooting 37.2% from the field and a costly 47.8% from the free-throw line, missing 12 attempts. The Lady Golden Lions were led by Indiya Bowen with 11 points, while Jailah Pelly and Jayla Cornelius each added 10 points. Cornelius also had four rebounds and two assists.

Despite connecting on 6 of 13 three-point attempts, Arkansas-Pine Bluff could not counter Alabama A&M’s interior advantage and consistent scoring. The Bulldogs’ offensive rating of 113.5 points per 100 possessions far outpaced the Lady Golden Lions’ 80.4, underscoring the gap in efficiency.

The win gives Alabama A&M its first conference victory of the season and snaps a two-game skid. The Bulldogs will look to build on the performance when they host Jackson State next Thursday. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which has lost three straight, continues its search for a SWAC win as it travels to face Texas Southern next Saturday.

Attendance at the HPER Complex was 645.