The UALR women's basketball team's defense was stout enough to give it a chance at an upset over Texas A&M on Wednesday night.
But the Trojans' offense couldn't match the rhythm the Aggies found in the second half.
Texas A&M scored 20 third-quarter points, including 16 in a row, while UALR remained stagnant in the Aggies' 55-37 victory at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
The Trojans (1-4) held the Aggies (4-0) to 37.5 percent shooting in the first half, but Texas A&M made 7 of 10 shots in the third quarter and 7 of 15 in the fourth. UALR shot 22.8 percent from the floor, including 2 of 14 from three-point range.
Kaitlyn Pratt scored 16 points, but half of those came from the free-throw line. UALR's starting guards -- Sharde Collins, Kyra Collier and Monique Townson -- were a combined 5 of 32 from the floor.
"We lost concentration and got back on our heels and didn't' attack," UALR Coach Joe Foley said. "Pretty typical of a young bunch. Losing focus."
Texas A&M Coach Gary Blair said his team's plan was to force Collins away from her preferred spot at the elbow for jumpers and for Townson to take shots late in the shot clock against his zone defense. Both strategies worked as Collins, who led UALR entering the game with 14.5 points per game, finished with 2 points on 1-of-7 shooting and Townson finished with 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting, including 1 of 8 from three-point range.
"That's what our whole No. 1 goal was, to take that elbow jumper away from Collins," Blair said. "Make her beat you with a three or she needs to drive. But she's that good. I'm just mad that we didn't recruit her. I think she's an excellent player."
Texas A&M's defensive showing and late offensive surge helped Blair get even with his old friend. He and Foley have been close since the 1990s, when Blair was at Arkansas and Foley was at Arkansas Tech. With Blair's victory Wednesday, the two are now tied with 721 in their careers.
"I hope we're tied for the rest of our lives," Blair said.
Foley, who beat Blair in the NCAA Tournament two seasons ago, tried to keep an edge with his team's defensive showing.
The Trojans held the Aggies without a field goal for the first nine minutes of the game and never did allow leading scorer Danni Williams to get into much of a rhythm. They led 11-8 after a Townson three-pointer to end the first quarter, and Pratt scored the final six points of the second quarter from the free-throw line to push the Trojans ahead 21-20.
Pratt's putback early in the third gave UALR a 23-21 lead, but it wouldn't score again until an Anna Hurlburt jumper with 26 seconds left in the quarter, a span of 7 minutes, 59 seconds.
In between, Texas A&M took over with a 16-0 run in which five different players scored. Texas A&M outscored UALR 20-4 in the third quarter to take a 40-25 lead.
"It just seems like we got a little frustrated," Pratt said. "We just needed to slow down and just take it slow and take it play by play. If they score, it's next play. And it seemed like we're just thinking about the play before. We should just worry about the next play."
Center Khaalia Hillsman had 15 points for Texas A&M, while Anriel Howard had 11 points and 12 rebounds and Williams had 11 points.
Foley was disappointed by his team's offense and the lack of focus at times. But he understood the level of competition and how it can improve his team.
"It's going to be a little while before I make a judgment on this team," he said. "If they show they can grow from this, they're fine. If they can't, if they lose their concentration and lose their confidence a little bit and don't toughen up, then it'll concern me a little bit."
SUN BELT MEN
UALR 91,
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 79
Jalen Jackson was perfect from the field while scoring a career-high 24 points to highlight a big offensive night for UALR in its final game Wednesday at the Lone Star Showcase in Cedar Park, Texas.
Jackson made 8 of 8 shots from the floor, including 2 of 2 three-pointers, and he was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line to help the Trojans (4-2) outlast the Chippewas. UALR shot 66.0 percent (33-50) for the game, while making 6 of 13 three-pointers.
SUN BELT MEN
UALR 91,
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 79
Jalen Jackson was perfect from the field while scoring a career-high 24 points to highlight a big offensive night for UALR in its final game Wednesday at the Lone Star Showcase in Cedar Park, Texas.
Jackson made 8 of 8 shots from the floor, including 2 of 2 three-pointers, and he was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line to help the Trojans (4-2) outlast the Chippewas. UALR shot 66.0 percent (33-50) for the game, while making 6 of 13 three-pointers.
Sports on 11/24/2016