SAN JUAN, P.R. (Dec. 22, 2016)-The Morgan State women's basketball team concluded its trip to Puerto Rico on Wednesday evening with a rare match-up against a foe from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

In the end, it would be the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB) defeating Morgan State, 53-44 in the finale of the Puerto Rico Classico at Coliseo Roberto Clemente. The contest was the first-ever meeting between the two teams, as the Lady Bears are now 0-2 all-time against members of the SWAC.  

Morgan State (2-9) has now lost its last three games, while UAPB improved to 3-8 on the season. The Golden Lions would finish the tournament with a 1-1 mark, while Morgan State would go winless in its two games.

UAPB was led by Destiny Brewton, who finished with a game-high 12 points and had a game-high five assists. Niya Head came off the bench to finish with 10 points, while Shawntayla Harris pulled down a team-high six rebounds for the Golden Lions, who out rebounded Morgan State, 40-33.

Morgan State was led by Zuri White, Braennan Farrar and Tykyrah Williams, who all finished with 10 points. Farrar, who is now nine points shy of reaching 1,000 for her career, also finished with a game-high four steals, Williams had a team-high three assists and White grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

After falling behind by four points, the Lady Bears closed out the first quarter with an 8-0 run to take an 11-7 lead after one quarter. Morgan State took a 19-15 lead in the second quarter on a basket by Smith with 2:53 remaining in the half. UAPB would then put together an 8-2 spurt to close out the half and take a 23-21 lead at the break.

The third quarter was back-and-forth and Farrar scored the final four points of the quarter to give the Lady Bears a 34-33 lead.

Unfortunately for Morgan State, that would be its last lead of the game. UAPB, which outscored Morgan State 20-10 in the fourth quarter, took a 45-41 lead after a three-pointer by Head with 4:18 left in the game. Brewton would add a free throw with 2:49 to play, making it 46-41 contest before Farrar drained a three-pointer from the right corner to cut the deficit to 46-44 with 1:46 to play.

That would be the Lady Bears' last points of the game. The Golden Lions would close out the contest scoring the final seven points for the 53-44 victory.

The Lady Bears will now take some time off for the Christmas Holiday, before returning to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 27 when they travel to the University of Richmond for a non-conference contest at 6 p.m.