Defense turns tide for Trojans

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Stifling defense from the UALR women caused Louisiana-Monroe to commit 14 turnovers in the second half, turning what had been a close game into a 16-point blowout in favor of the Trojans.

UALR led by one point with just under 13 minutes to go, but the defense buckled down and the offense heated up as the Trojans defeated the Warhawks 63-47 Saturday afternoon at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La.

The big momentum shift came with 12:55 left when UALR (13-10, 8-5 Sun Belt Conference) went on a 14-0 run over the next 4:40. The Warhawks (9-15, 5-7) had four turnovers in that span while six different players scored those 14 points for the Trojans. That moved a 39-38 UALR advantage to a 53-38 lead and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Overall, ULM committed 26 turnovers while the Trojans had eight.

Taylor Gault led UALRwith 18 points and also added 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Freshman Keanna Keys set a new career high in points for the second consecutive game with 11. Senior Taylor Ford finished with 10 points and six rebounds. She also reached 800 points in her career.

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 77, ARKANSAS STATE 76

Brooklyn Arceneux scored on a three-point play with 5.1 seconds left and Arkansas State’s Jessica Flannery missed the second of two free throws as Louisiana-Lafayette (11-13, 4-9) beat the Red Wolves (16-9, 10-3).

ASU is one game ahead of Texas State (8-3).

The Red Wolves led 75-74 with 16.5 seconds left after Jane Morrill’s layup. But the Ragin’ Cajuns went to Arceneux, who was fouled by Jalen O’Bannon on the layup. Arceneux made the ensuing free throw to give Louisiana-Lafayette a 77-75 lead.

Flanery was fouled by Robbie Brown with 0.1 seconds left. She made the first of two free throws, but missed the second and Louisiana-Lafayette’s Sylvana Okde grabbed the rebound.

Aundrea Gamble led ASU with 24 points. Morrill had 16 points while O’Bannon added 15.

Gabby Alexander scored 22 points to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Sports, Pages 26 on 02/16/2014