UALR women's basketball Coach Joe Foley witnessed two positive developments Friday during the Trojans' 61-53 victory over Memphis at the Jack Stephens Center.
There was senior forward Shanity James, who continued to emerge as the Trojans' go-to player. James scored 22 points three days after scoring a career-high 24, including a jumper from the baseline that turned away a late Memphis rally.
Then there was guard Alexius Dawn, who scored 12 points, including two second-half three-pointers that helped the Trojans (2-2) keep their lead. Dawn had been mired in a 4-for-28 start to the season from three-point range.
James and Dawn helped UALR hold off Memphis at home nine days after the Trojans lost a late lead in a loss to LSU at the Jack Stephens Center.
"We're growing up," Foley said. "I think that's all you can say is we're growing up. Made some plays at times when we needed to, and some times we got back on our heels again."
James' baseline jumper might have been the biggest sign of progress.
UALR's lead was down to 53-49 with less than two minutes remaining when James took a pass from Sharde' Collins, made a move on the baseline and hit a jumper to allow UALR to play the final moments relatively stress-free.
"I was just thinking, 'We have to make a play right now,' " James said. "If we don't make a play, we're going to lose."
Collins and Dawn combined for 22 points, including 17 in the second half, to make sure the Trojans didn't let another one get away.
Dawn, a preseason second-team All-Sun Belt pick, made 3 three-pointers after starting the season missing 24 of her first 28 three-point tries, including her first six three-point attempts against Memphis.
"Hopefully that will get her going a little," Foley said.
Dawn also was helpful pushing the ball up the floor when Memphis (3-2) turned up its defensive pressure. UALR played the final 2:30 without a turnover.
Dawn said the key to her scoring was shaking off two early fouls.
"If I'm in foul trouble, my shots aren't going to fall because I'm already frustrated," she said. "I don't lose confidence. It's just that getting in foul trouble takes me out of the game."
James had 14 points in the first half and finished 10 of 16 from the field while raising her scoring average to 18.3 points per game.
"I thought it was amazing, that first half," Foley said. "If it wasn't for Shanity, we're down 10-15 points. She had a heck of a game. I just told her that without her, that would have been a whole, totally different ballgame."
SUN BELT MEN
BAYLOR 94, ARKANSAS STATE 72
WACO, Texas — Taurean Prince had 25 points and seven rebounds to lead Baylor (4-1) to a victory over Arkansas State (2-4) at the Ferrell Center. Prince was 7 of 16 from the floor, which included hitting 3 of 6 three-pointers, and made 8 of 8 free throws as the Bears shot 48.3 percent (29 of 60) from the floor.
Al Freeman contributed with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Lester Medford had 11 points, and Rico Gathers had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The Red Wolves were held to 42 percent shooting (29 of 69), including 5 of 20 from behind the three-point line. Anthony Livingston and Devin Carter led Arkansas State with 20 points each. Livingston was 7 of 13 from the floor and Carter was 8 of 17.
SWAC MEN
ARMY 81, UAPB 60
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Kennedy Edwards led Army (4-2) with 17 points and nine rebounds as four Black Knights scored at least 10 points in a victory over UAPB (1-5) at the Barclays Center Classic at Christil Arena.
Edwards was 8 of 12 from the floor. Kyle Wilson had 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including 5 of 11 from behind the three-point line. Kevin Ferguson had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Tanner Plomb had 12 points and 9 rebounds.
JoeVaughn Love led UAPB with 15 points and five rebounds. Thaddeus Handley scored 11 points and Jaquan Lynch had 11.
SWAC WOMEN
UAPB 65, TOUGALOO 51
MEMPHIS — Niya Head led UAPB (2-3) with 13 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Lions defeated Tougaloo (0-3) at the HBCU Classic at LeMoyen-Owen College.
Head was 6 of 13 from the floor, while Destiny Brewton chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Tougaloo shot 39.6 percent from the floor compared to UAPB’s 33.8 percent, but UAPB outrebounded Tougaloo 50-38 and forced 23 turnovers.
Robinson Arnissayuyr led Tougaloo with 12 points
Sports on 11/28/2015