The University of Arkansas at Little Rock women's basketball team posted just eight points in Saturday's third quarter, and Western Kentucky defeated the Trojans 68-56 at the Jack Stephens Center.
The Trojans (2-5) have lost five in a row -- all to 2017-2018 NCAA Tournament teams -- and have not won since Nov. 14 against Florida Atlantic in Little Rock.
"We've got too much immaturity right now," UALR Coach Joe Foley said. "We're playing way too many kids that haven't played. We're having to learn the hard way right now."
Western Kentucky scored 26 points in the fourth quarter and went 11 for 11 from the free-throw line in the final period.
Three Lady Toppers finished with double figures. Redshirt junior Dee Givens had 22 points, sophomore forward Raneem Elgedawy added 17, and redshirt junior guard Alexis Brewer finished with 16. The trio shot 27 free throws and made 23.
Western Kentucky (4-6) made 25 of 29 free throws, the most makes and attempts the Trojans have allowed this season.
UALR junior guard Kyra Collier led all Trojans with 22 points on 20 shot attempts. Collier -- who entered Saturday's game as UALR's second-leading scorer at 11.2 points per game, trailing senior forward Ronjanae DeGray's 11.8 -- went 9 of 20 from the field in 38 minutes.
"She takes too many bad shots and makes too many turnovers," Foley said. "She's making some shots.
"Everybody always takes that and thinks, 'When a kid's hitting shots, she's playing well.' She's not playing well. She's making turnovers and she's taking some bad shots down with her. But she's not the only one. We're immature in the way we're playing."
"Some of my shots were good," Collier added. "I kind of took a couple of dumb shots. I shouldn't have taken them off-balance. Coach has been telling me I need to be balanced with my feet under me."
Collier finished with two turnovers and four assists. DeGray added 10 points, her sixth game this season in double-figure scoring.
The Trojans shot 43.4 percent (23 of 53) from the field and went 2 of 5 from the three-point line. The five attempts were the fewest UALR has taken this season.
"Shooting the basketball has kind of been a struggle for us," Collier said, "and knowing who should take shots and knowing who shouldn't take shots."
The Trojans trailed 31-30 entering the second half, but their eight-point third quarter tied their second-lowest scoring quarter of the season. The Trojans scored seven points in the third quarter Nov. 14 against Florida Atlantic. They have scored eight points in four different quarters this season.
"We took a couple of bad shots, turned it over a couple of times," Foley said. "That's just showing your immaturity. That's all it is. Kids are not ready to play. They've got to get ready."
Western Kentucky led 42-38 entering the fourth quarter.
SUN BELT WOMEN
ARKANSAS STATE 67, TEXAS-EL PASO 66
Akasha Westbrook's three-point play with 13 seconds left gave Arkansas State (3-4) a victory over Texas-El Paso (2-5) on Saturday at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
The Red Wolves trailed 48-43 at the end of the third quarter, but outscored the Miners 24-18 in the fourth to claim the victory. ASU's lead grew to six points after a three-pointer by Jordan Elder gave the Red Wolves a 56-50 lead with 6:42 remaining, but the Miners regained the lead with a three-pointer by Neidy Ocuane to take a 60-58 advantage with 3:20 left.
Jordan Alexander's three-pointer with 45 seconds left gave UTEP a 65-62 lead, but a jumper by Peyton Martin cut the lead to 65-64. Westbrook fouled Ocuane with 26 seconds left and Ocuane hit 1 of 2 free throws as UTEP led 66-64 before Westbrook won the game on the three-point play.
Martin finished with a game-high 21 points for ASU, while Westbrook finished with 12.
Ariona Gill led UTEP with 17 points, Jordan Alexander scored 13 and Zuzanna Puc, who fouled Westbrook to set up the game-winning play, chipped in with 12 points.
SOUTHLAND WOMEN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 91, CROWLEY'S RIDGE 33
The University of Central Arkansas (4-2) held Crowley's Ridge College (2-8) to single-digit scoring in three of four quarters on Saturday as the Sugar Bears cruised to a victory at the Farris Center in Conway.
Alana Canady had 18 points to lead UCA, which had five players score 10 or more points. Hannah Langhi and Alanie Fisher had 12 points apiece, while Kamry Orr had 11 and Mekaylan Hicks chipped in with 10.
Alexus Taylor scored 15 points to lead Crowley's Ridge.
Sports on 12/02/2018