The Missouri State Lady Bears outscored the UALR Trojans 14-4 in the final 4:13 to send UALR to its fourth consecutive loss, 64-58, at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock on Sunday.
The Trojans (2-6) led by as many as seven points in the second half, but an inability to get anything going on offense and struggles defending the bigger Lady Bears (7-5) showed up late in the game.
“They were picking on a freshman down there late,” UALR Coach Joe Foley said. “She’s gonna have to learn, and that’s our struggle right now – our youth. Turnovers when we can’t have them, inexperience on defense, them getting easy baskets. We’ve got to stop that.”
The Trojans trailed 25-23 at the half, but hit seven of their first nine shots to start the third quarter and led 42-35 with 1:47 left in the third. The fourth quarter collapse mirrored a second quarter that saw UALR go from a 21-12 lead to trailing at halftime.
“We’ve got to find a way to close out second and fourth quarters,” said Kaitlyn Pratt, who led the Trojans with six rebounds. “Every loss is an opportunity to learn, but we’ve got to get better about closing those quarters out.”
Alexius Dawn led all players with 19 points for the Trojans, but was the only UALR player in double figures. Liza Fruedt, Kenzie Williams and Aubrey Buckley led Missouri State with 17, 15 and 12, respectively.
SOUTHLAND WOMEN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 51,
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 38
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Central Arkansas went on a 14-0 run midway through the fourth quarter and outscored South Carolina State 19-6 over the final 7:27 to win the University of North Florida Holiday Classic.
The victory marks the sixth time in seven games the Sugar Bears (9-1) have held an opponent to 40 points or fewer, with teams averaging just 37.5 points during that span. The 9-1 start is UCA’s best since beginning the 2002-2003 season 12-0. UCA trailed 35-32 early in the fourth quarter, but got four consecutive points from Brianna Mullins, a three-point play from Kendara Watts and a three-pointer from Maggie Proffitt to battle back and pull away from the Bulldogs (4-6).
South Carolina State got as close as eight point with 1:16 remaining in the game after an Amber Howard jumper, but three free throws and a Proffitt layup ended any hopes the Bulldogs had of mounting a late rally.
SWAC WOMEN
TEXAS TECH 84, UAPB 40
LUBBOCK, Texas — Brielle Blaire led Texas Tech (9-2) with a career-high 19 points as the Red Raiders cruised past Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Texas Tech shot 45.8 percent from the floor while holding UAPB to 29.4 shooting for the game. The Red Raiders held a 50-28 rebounding edge and forced the Lady Lions into 20 turnovers. Texas Tech’s reserves also outscored UAPB’s bench 50-12.
Raven Brooks and Dayo Olabode each scored 12 points for Texas Tech. Japreece Dean finished with 10. Destiny Brewton finished with 11 points to lead UAPB (3-7).
Sports on 12/21/2015