The first-place University of Arkansas at Little Rock women's basketball team didn't distance itself from last-place Georgia State until late in Saturday's game, which the Trojans won 54-47 at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
Turnovers and dismal three-point shooting kept UALR (14-8, 11-0 Sun Belt) from enjoying more than a two-score lead until the third quarter, but a 42-28 rebounding advantage over Georgia State (5-17, 1-10) -- including 19 offensive rebounds -- helped the Trojans pull away.
"You could tell this wasn't one of our top games," UALR Coach Joe Foley said. "I knew this was going to be a tough ball game, and I just didn't know how well we were going to shoot it, and I can tell you, it wasn't very good. So that's part of it."
The Trojans finished the game 1 of 15 (6.7 percent) in three-point shooting.
UALR junior forward Yanina Inkina had a block and two midrange jumpers to give the Trojans a 4-0 lead with 7:35 left in the first quarter. Then, senior guard Monique Townson's entry pass was tipped and stolen, there was a shot clock violation on the next possession, and Townson was blocked while trying to drive through Georgia State's 2-3 zone.
Georgia State had difficulty getting separation against UALR's man defense, and it wasn't until junior guard Kierra Henry drove to the basket that an opportunity opened up. She passed to junior guard Janessa Murphy, who made a wide open three-pointer from the right wing.
The Panthers went on an 8-0 run and led 8-4 with 3:12 left in the first period.
The Trojans' best offensive opportunities came during fast breaks, but two traveling calls stunted UALR's momentum.
Georgia State used its size advantage to prevent UALR from getting close shots, and the Trojans were 0 for 9 from three-point range during the first half.
Panthers junior forwards Francesca Minali, 6-2, and Juliet James, 6-0, dominated the defensive paint when UALR's Inkina, 6-2, was not on the floor. Trojans junior forward Ronjanae DeGray had to wrestle James for an offensive rebound with 6:28 left in the half, which drew a foul on James.
Inkina was subbed into the game and immediately made a layup. Then she recorded a steal that turned into a layup by freshman guard Terrion Moore. The Trojans led 14-12 with 5:20 left in the half despite making just one of their previous eight shots.
"The size, when we got [Inkina] in the game, the way she can shoot it helps us," Foley said.
Georgia State missed their final five shots of the first half, which led to UALR transition shots, including a running jumper by freshman guard Tori Lasker that gave the Trojans a 22-18 halftime lead.
Steals by Georgia State's James and sophomore guard Madison Newby led to a 5-0 Panthers run during the third period, which gave them a 28-26 lead with 6:17 left in the third period. It would be the Panthers' final lead of the game.
Lasker made UALR's first three-pointer of the game, then DeGray made three midrange jump shots from the left baseline to give the Trojans a 44-36 lead with 8:09 left in the game.
DeGray led the game with 16 points, and senior Keanna Keys scored 6 of her 12 points during the fourth period.
The Panthers committed four turnovers in the fourth period, including a botched handoff that led to a midrange jump shot from Trojans junior forward Raeyana DeGray. Georgia State never got within six points again.
"When you play good defense, it pushes your offense," said Inkina, who finished the game with six points and two rebounds. "This one helped us find the free shots."
ARKANSAS STATE 69,
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 48
Peyton Martin scored 17 points and Arkansas State University (12-10, 7-4 Sun Belt) rolled to a victory over Georgia Southern (4-18, 1-10) in Jonesboro.
Jada Ford had 11 points for the Red Wolves, who shot 44.6 percent (25 of
56) from the floor and outrebounded the Eagles 47-34. Akasha Westbrook finished with nine rebounds.
ASU led 21-14 after one quarter, 36-24 at halftime and 50-38 at the end of the third quarter.
Trell English-Lurry scored 17 points to lead the Eagles.
SOUTHLAND WOMEN
SE LOUISIANA 78,
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 70, 2OT
The University of Central Arkansas (15-7, 8-3 Southland Conference) lost to Southeastern Louisiana (5-17, 4-7) in double overtime in Hammond, La.
It was 63-63 entering the second overtime, but the Lady Lions outscored the Sugar Bears 15-7 in the final five minutes. Mekaylan Hicks tied the game at 65-65 with 4:09 left in the second overtime. Southeastern Louisiana took the lead, 68-65, with 3:16 remaining on Ashailee Brailey’s three-pointer.
Antonija Bozic led the Sugar Bears with 20 points. Kierra Jordan finished with 11 points. Angel Williams added 10 points for UCA, which shot 32.8 percent (22 of
67) from the floor.
Taylin Underwood scored 26 points to lead the Lions.
SWAC WOMEN
UAPB 57, ALABAMA A&M 48
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (4-16, 2-8 Southwestern Athletic Conference) snapped its eight-game losing streak with a victory over Alabama A&M (8-13, 2-7) in Pine Bluff.
It was UAPB’s first victory since Jan. 1, when the Lady Lions won 64-59 at Mississippi Valley State in their SWAC opener. Destiny Brewton led the Lady Lions with 14 points. Faith Ohanta had 12 points. UAPB shot 39.1 percent (18 of 46) from the floor and made 19 of 30 at the free-throw line.
DeShawna Harper led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points. Lauren McKee scored 10 points. Nigeria Jones had a team-high 12 rebounds.
Sports on 02/04/2018