Golden Lions pay visit to eighth-ranked Cowboys

Nov 15, 2013 - 4:02 PM Stillwater, OK (Sports Network) - A pair of undefeated teams square off tonight, as the Golden Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff come calling on the eighth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.

UAPB has wins over Division II foes Tuskegee (66-64) and Morehouse College (67-54) already on its resume', but the competition level increases significantly this evening as it takes on an Oklahoma State squad expected to challenge for the Big 12 Conference crown and make a lengthy run in the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Lions are hoping to make their own positive showing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season, and they'll open league play at Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 4, 2014.

Oklahoma State also has a pair of victories to its credit as the team routed both Mississippi Valley State (117-62) and Utah Valley (93-40), each game taking place in Stillwater where it will play its first four before heading to the Sunshine State for four games from Nov. 25-Dec. 1. The Cowboys are considered one of the top teams in the Big 12, along with perennial favorite Kansas, and they will play their conference lid lifter at Kansas State on Jan. 4, 2014.

OSU has won both previous meeting with UAPB (2009, 2011), and after topping MVSU in the opener is a perfect 21-0 all-time against teams from the SWAC.

Davon Haynes notched his second straight double-double by scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to help push the Golden Lions past Morehouse College earlier this week. Additionally, three other players scored in double figures, led by Tevin Hammond and his 16 points. Marcel Mosely came off the bench to net 11 points, while Trent Whiting had 10 for a UAPB squad that shot 44.9 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from 3-point range, and 84.2 percent at the foul line, all while holding its opponent to 38.9 percent, 11.1 percent and 76.9 percent in those same areas, respectively. The Golden Lions were guilty of 20 turnovers in the game, but took advantage of 22 miscues by the Maroon Tigers.

Mosely scored 18 points and Haynes tallied 15 points and 11 boards in the opener versus Tuskegee. UAPB had a tough time holding on to the ball in that clash as well, committing an unsightly 21 turnovers, but goaded the Golden Tigers into 23 giveaways.

Oklahoma State has had very little troubling doing whatever it has wanted in the first two games, dictating the tempo from the opening tip against a pair of inferior foes. The Cowboys are putting up 105 ppg with six players averaging double figures, led by Phil Forte with his Big 12-best 20.5 ppg. Freshman Stevie Clark has handed out a league-high 14 assists, while Brian Williams and Le'Bryan Nash are tied for the team lead with 5.5 rpg.

As a team, OSU is shooting 53.9 percent from the floor while allowing just 31.4 percent to the opposition. The Pokes have drained 26-of-54 3-point attempts, and they own sizable margins in both rebounding (+11.5) and turnovers (+12.5).

Forte poured in 19 points to pace six double-digit scorers in the recent win over Utah Valley, as the Cowboys hit 14 3-pointers while forcing 23 turnovers.