Jackson State Tigers Edge Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 81-78
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 8:45 PM ET · Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center
Jackson State Tigers 81, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 78, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs Jackson State Tigers?
Jackson State Tigers beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 81-78 at Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center on March 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs Jackson State Tigers?
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -122 (about 55% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Jackson State Tigers narrowly defeated the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions with a final score of 81-78 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. This victory marked a crucial moment for the Tigers, who have been struggling in recent games, having lost their last three contests prior to this matchup. With this win, Jackson State improved their home record to 10-20 overall.
The Tigers entered the game with a 4-6 record in their last ten games, averaging 75.2 points scored per game while allowing 79.1 points. Their recent form included a mix of victories and defeats, with notable wins against Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, but they had been unable to find consistency, especially in their last three games where they were outscored significantly.
Conversely, the Golden Lions had a better record of 6-4 in their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss against Mississippi Valley State. Arkansas-Pine Bluff averaged 73.6 points scored and allowed 74.4 points during this stretch. Despite their recent form being more favorable, they faced challenges on the road, culminating in this narrow defeat.
Historically, the Tigers and Golden Lions have met three times in the past two seasons, with Jackson State holding a 2-1 advantage in those matchups. Their most recent encounter prior to this game occurred on February 9, 2026, where Arkansas-Pine Bluff secured a convincing 84-63 win. This game was pivotal for Jackson State, not only for pride but also for their standing in the league as they sought to build momentum heading into the closing stages of the season.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant absences for either team, which meant both squads were able to field their strongest lineups for this crucial game. The absence of key players can often sway the outcome, but with both teams intact, it was a fair contest.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Arkansas-Pine Bluff as the slight favorites, with a spread of 1.5 points and a moneyline of -122 for the Golden Lions, while Jackson State was priced at +102. The total points line was set at 153.5, indicating expectations for a competitive and high-scoring affair.
The game conditions were typical for a late-season college basketball matchup, with both teams displaying urgency and determination. The crowd at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center was lively, supporting the Tigers in their quest for a much-needed victory.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. In the second half, Jackson State managed to pull ahead with critical free throws from Daeshun Ruffin, who contributed significantly to the Tigers' scoring late in the game. The tension escalated as the Golden Lions fought to close the gap, but ultimately, Jackson State held on for the win.
This victory not only boosted the Tigers' morale but also showcased their resilience in overcoming a challenging season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this win can spark a turnaround for Jackson State as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UAPB -1.5 | 153.5 o -105 / u -115 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions -122 · Jackson State Tigers +102 |
Leaders
- PointsDaeshun Ruffin38Jackson State Tigers
- AssistsDaeshun Ruffin4Jackson State Tigers
- ReboundsTamarion Hoover5Jackson State Tigers
- PointsQuion Williams21Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- AssistsAlex Mirhosseini3Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
- ReboundsJaquan Scott10Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Recent form
Jackson State Tigers
Last 10: 4-6Streak L375.2 scored · 79.1 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L57-82at Texas Southern TigersFeb 28
- L76-85at Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 27
- L65-83at Alcorn State BravesFeb 21
- W91-86vs Bethune-Cookman WildcatsFeb 17
- W80-60vs Florida A&M RattlersFeb 14
- L63-84at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsFeb 9
- W97-81at Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsFeb 7
- L91-96vs Southern JaguarsFeb 3
- L66-69vs Grambling TigersJan 31
- W66-65at Florida A&M RattlersJan 27
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Last 10: 6-4Streak L173.6 scored · 74.4 allowed per game3-2 away
- L69-70vs Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsFeb 28
- W84-82vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 21
- L64-83vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 20
- L70-82at Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 17
- L61-79at Alabama State HornetsFeb 14
- W84-63vs Jackson State TigersFeb 9
- W84-77vs Alcorn State BravesFeb 7
- W67-64at Grambling TigersFeb 5
- W78-70at Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsJan 31
- W75-74at Southern JaguarsJan 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 17-15 | - | 14-4 |
| Southern | 17-17 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Florida A&M | 15-16 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Alabama A&M | 18-15 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 13-19 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Texas Southern | 12-18 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Jackson State | 12-21 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Prairie View A&M | 19-18 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Grambling | 14-19 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alabama State | 10-22 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alcorn State | 9-23 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 3-30 | 12 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions | Jackson State Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-53 | 24-61 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 7-19 | 9-27 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 33 |
| Free throws | 21-24 | 24-30 |
| Free throw % | 88 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 18 |
| Assists | 11 | 7 |
| Steals | 4 | 9 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 24 |
| Fouls | 21 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 30 | 58 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-51Quion Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-53Daeshun Ruffin makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half52-53Quion Williams makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-54Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-54Ramel Lloyd Jr. makes 18-foot jumper (Alex Mirhosseini assists)
- 2nd Half54-56Jalen Tatum makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-56Jaquan Scott makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-56Jaquan Scott makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-57Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half57-58Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half57-59Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half59-59Quion Williams makes 19-foot jumper (Ramel Lloyd Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half59-60Devin Ree makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-61Devin Ree makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-61Jaquan Scott makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-64Daeshun Ruffin makes 28-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half64-64Alex Mirhosseini makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half65-64Quion Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-64Quion Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-67Daeshun Ruffin makes 28-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half66-68Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-69Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-69Ramel Lloyd Jr. makes driving layup (Alex Mirhosseini assists)
- 2nd Half68-70Delyle Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-71Delyle Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-73Daeshun Ruffin makes layup
- 2nd Half69-73Jaquan Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-73Jaquan Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-73Milhan Charles makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Trevon Payton assists)
- 2nd Half72-74Jayme Mitchell Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-75Jayme Mitchell Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-75Ramel Lloyd Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-76Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-77Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-78Delyle Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-78Trevon Payton makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half75-79Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-80Daeshun Ruffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-80Quion Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half78-81Jayme Mitchell Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Jackson State Tigers, below favours Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
Venue
- Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly CenterJackson, MS
- Attendance768
- OfficialsPatrick Evans, Michael Smith, Cedric Coleman
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