Arkansas-Pine Bluff grabs SWAC Men’s Basketball Championship

Tavaris Washington scored 14 points and tournament MVP Allen Smith added 11 as the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff defeated Texas Southern 50-36 in the Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament Men’s Championship.

#2 seed UAPB (17-15) qualifies for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Texas Southern, the #5 seed, finished 17-16.

The lead changed hands seven times early with one tie, but the Golden Lions took the lead for good at the 5:53 mark on a three-pointer by George Davis and never trailed again. UAPB led 26-20 at halftime.

In the second half, Univ. Arkansas-Pine Bluff extended to a double-digit lead at 41-31 on a pair of free throws by Washington with 8:45 to play and maintained its double-digit lead the remainder of the game.

Deandre Hall and Junior Treasure led Texas Southern with 14 points each.

Top seeded Southern takes SWAC Women’s Basketball Title

Ashley Augerson scored 19 points to lead three teammates in double figures as top-seeded Southern won the Farmers Insurance SWAC Tournament Women’s Title with a 60-47 victory over #7 seed Alabama State.

Southern (23-8) earns the Conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Women’s Tournament and will learn its opponent Monday evening. Upset-minded Alabama State, which knocked off the second and third seeds en route to the title game, ends its season 13-17.

With the score tied at 19-all late in the first half, Southern scored 17 consecutive points over an eight minute span to take a commanding 36-19 lead with 16:08 to play in the game. The Jaguars never led by less than 11 the rest of the way.

Hannah Kador, the women’s tournament MVP, scored 15 points and Tiffany Foster 10 for Southern.

Alabama State’s Tanika Jackson led all scorers with 22 points.