The University of Arkansas at Little Rock women's basketball team's home opener was a successful mess.
Senior forwards Ronjanae DeGray (17 points) and Yanina Inkina (14) combined for 31 points to power UALR to a sloppy 61-38 victory Wednesday over Florida Atlantic at the Jack Stephens Center.
FAU's active 2-3 zone defense caused many offensive issues for UALR, including 22 turnovers.
"It was very sloppy," DeGray said. "It was not a good game. We have a lot to learn. This is not a game to celebrate. We got exposed. Better teams are going to expose us a lot worse."
With 12 total turnovers and 16 missed shots between UALR (2-0) and FAU (0-3) in the first quarter, both teams' offenses were in an early funk. UALR led 17-9 at the end of the quarter.
The Trojans' trouble defeating the zone defense spilled over from their season-opening 69-58 victory at Louisiana Tech on Friday.
"To me, way too many turnovers," UALR Coach Joe Foley said. "We've got to understand what our roles are. You cannot have 22 turnovers and be a very good basketball team."
UALR's defense saved its offense.
The Owls committed 32 turnovers against UALR's man-to-man defense. It was the Trojans' saving grace until a 23-10 advantage in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.
"Thank goodness, that's what kept us in the game," Foley said. "We played pretty good defensively, I thought. That was the reason we won.
"When our offense finally did do something in the fourth quarter, then you saw what can happen when our offense is good. But our offense was terrible tonight."
UALR shot 24 of 52 from the field for the game, including 11 of 14 in the fourth quarter. The Trojans made 3 three-pointers on 10 total attempts, and connected on 10 of 18 free throws.
Florida Atlantic scored five points in the second quarter on two field goals and a free throw, but the Owls committed 18 turnovers in the first half, which UALR led 31-14.
The Trojans, who scored 20 first-half points via FAU's turnovers, completed the opening half on an 11-0 run and held the Owls scoreless for the final 7:48 of the second quarter.
Florida Atlantic outscored the Trojans 14-7 in the third quarter to cut UALR's lead to 38-28 with 10 minutes to go. UALR went 2 of 12 from the field in the third quarter (16.7 percent).
"The third quarter was not very well played," Foley said.
UALR posted eight points in the third quarter of its victory Friday at Louisiana Tech after the Bulldogs unveiled a similar 2-3 zone, marking the the first time the Trojans saw the defense this season.
Figuring out how to conquer the zone is UALR's No. 1 priority offensively two games into the season.
"We have to be able to pick it apart better," DeGray said.
SEC WOMEN
Arkansas 66, Texas-Arlington 65
Alexis Tolefree's jumper with two seconds left gave the University of Arkansas its second victory of the season Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
The Razorbacks (2-0) built a 62-54 lead with 7:20 left on a layup by Malica Monk, but the Mavericks took a 65-64 lead with 47 seconds left on a layup by Cierra Johnson.
Monk missed a layup, and Texas-Arlington's Lauren Billie missed a three-pointer before the Razorbacks called a timeout with 12 seconds left. Katie Ferrell blocked Monk's layup attempt and was fouled by Chelsea Dungee with five seconds left. Ferrell missed both free throws, and Arkansas called another timeout before Tolefree hit the game-winner on an assist from Jailyn Mason.
Tolefree and Monk scored 18 points apiece to lead the Razorbacks, who shot 41 percent (26 of 63) from the floor but hit only 5 of 16 three-pointers. Dungee added 16 points.
Johnson scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Mavericks (1-1), who shot 35 percent (25 of 72) from the floor. Billie finished with 21 points, which included five three-pointers.
SWAC WOMEN
No. 8 Oregon State 89, UAPB 33
Destiny Slocum had 15 points and 11 assists as No. 8 Oregon State routed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Corvallis, Ore.
Mikayla Pivec added 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 steals, and Kat Tudor had 18 points, including 4 three-pointers, and 8 rebounds for the Beavers (2-0).
Sha'Kendra Tilley scored 7 points, and Noe'll Taylor added 6 points and 6 rebounds for the Golden Lions (0-2).
Oregon State had a 22-point run that spanned nearly eight minutes, and it forced eight turnovers in taking a 26-4 lead after the first quarter. The Beavers led 48-10 at the half and 70-26 after three quarters.
"They took us out of our offense, and when we did run our offense right, we just missed shots," UAPB Coach Nate Kilbert said.
Oregon State shot 50 percent compared with 20 percent for UAPB. The Beavers outrebounded the Golden Lions 46-27.
Sports on 11/15/2018