Minutes after a hope-inspiring 91-62 victory Jan. 12 against South Alabama at home, Darrell Walker's postgame speech in UALR's locker room was about packing up the defense it used to steamroll the Jaguars and taking it on the road.
"Like I told them in the locker room, defense can travel," the University of Arkansas at Little Rock coach said. "Your offense can stay home. But you can still defend the same way at home as you can do on the road."
In ways that "disappointed" Walker, UALR's defense did not make the two-game road trip to Texas last week.
The Trojans (7-12, 2-4 Sun Belt Conference) allowed 80-plus points in consecutive losses at Texas State (80-62) and Texas-Arlington (82-73) on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
One week before UALR's third and fourth consecutive Sun Belt road losses, the Trojans pummelled Troy and South Alabama at home.
They held Troy to 59 points while forcing 23 turnovers, the most UALR has caused all season. South Alabama's 62 points were coupled with 19 turnovers, the third most mistakes UALR has forced in a single game.
It was two of UALR's stronger defensive performances of the season. The week showed promise for the team predicted to finish last in the Sun Belt this season, and Walker said it was needed to keep the Trojans in the thick of the Sun Belt race.
Last week's two steps backward in Texas highlighted a glaring issue for the Trojans: They're a different -- and worse -- team on the road.
"We've shown that we can defend. Lately, it has not been good," Walker said. "What I was disappointed with mainly is that we held one team to 59 points and one team to 62 points before we leave to go on this road trip. Then we give up 80 points in both games. That's not good."
UALR's home and road splits are troublesome. The obvious measurement of the team's road issues is the record -- 0-4 against the Sun Belt, 1-9 for the season. UALR's only road win was an 83-67 victory at Tennessee State on Nov. 13.
The Trojans are losing on the road, and usually by a lot. UALR has been outscored by 10.7 points per game away from Little Rock and is allowing 85.5 points to its opponents. At home, the Trojans are outscoring opponents by 11.3 points and holding them to 68.4 ppg.
In their past six road games, the Trojans have allowed 99, 102, 97, 75, 80 and 82 points.
"So you're telling me we were defending? No," Walker said. "We were not defending."
To Walker, an alarming tendency of UALR's failing defense is the second halves on the road. The Trojans have allowed 441 second-half points on the road (44.1 per game); they have allowed 31.8 second-half points at home.
UALR led Texas State on Thursday 31-30 at the half, but the Trojans gave the Bobcats 50 points in the second and lost by 18.
On Saturday, Texas-Arlington was hot from tip, scoring 49 points in the first half on 5-of-8 shooting from three and making 16 of 18 free throws in the opening 20 minutes.
In road games, UALR -- which starts four freshmen and does not have a senior on its current roster -- has had players disqualified for fouls 18 times. At home, just one Trojan has fouled out: Sophomore Jaizec Lottie drew five fouls in UALR's 101-92 season-opening win against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
"Once again, we need 40 minutes of a defensive effort, and we didn't get that," Walker said. "So now we're sitting at 2-4."
The Trojans will return to the Jack Stephens Center for a three-game home stand, beginning Thursday against Coastal Carolina and continue Saturday against Appalachian State. UALR will also host Arkansas State University on Feb. 2.
Sports on 01/22/2019