ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

The UALR women’s basketball team’s recent track record didn’t indicate it could hang with the Sun Belt Conference’s best team on its home floor.

It couldn’t in the second half.

UALR came back from a slow start and was within two points of Middle Tennessee before the Blue Raiders scored 10 consecutive points midway through the second half to pull away for a 65-56 victory at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

UALR (11-6, 4-5) lost for the fifth time in its past six games after missing 10 of itsfirst 11 shots and falling behind 15-6. The Trojans were 9 of 30 from the floor in the first half but held the Blue Raiders to 10-of-29 shooting and trailed 27-24 at halftime.

UALR pulled to within 44-42 with 9:10 left in the game, but a 10-0 run by Middle Tennessee (12-5, 7-1) was capped by forward Ebony Rowe’s three-point play and Icelyn Elie’s basket that made it 54-42.

Wednesday’s game was the second consecutive game in which UALR struggled to slow one of the conference’s best players. Four days after letting Florida International guard Jerica Coley score 37 points in a loss in Little Rock, Rowe finished with a career-high 35 points and 17rebounds.

The two-time All-Sun Belt first-team selection had 11 offensive rebounds to help Middle Tennessee to a 47-27 rebounding advantage and made 13 of 21 shots from the floor and 9 of 12 free throws.

UALR Coach Joe Foley went back to his normal starting lineup of guards Taylor Ford, Taylor Gualt and Janette Merriex and forwards Carolee Dillard and Hannah Fohne, but a freshman who came off the bench was his best scoring option Wednesday.

Shanity James finished with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and 6-of-8 freethrow shooting.

Ford had nine points and Gault was held to eight on 3-of-15 shooting. UALR’s otherthree starters combined for 12 points after getting into foul trouble. Fohne, Dillard and Merriex fouled out, and Dillard was limited to 13 minutes because of the foul trouble.

Gualt missed her first seven shots before making a three-pointer with 3:44 left in the first half to pull UALR within 22-18. Her three-point play with 1:25 left pulled UALR to within 25-23.

The Trojans took their first lead when James made two free throws with 13:07 left to make it 36-35. After a Middle Tennessee turnover, Gault’s jumper made it 38-35.

The Blue Raiders made three of their next four shots to retake a lead that it wouldn’t give up.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES Florida Atlantic 74, Troy 63 Middle Tennessee 65, UALR 56 W. Kentucky 75, La.-Lafayette 64 South Alabama 61, La.-Monroe 51 TODAY’S GAME All times Central N. Texas at Fla. International, 5:30 p.m.

Sports, Pages 17 on 01/17/2013