Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?For only the second time in school history, the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Lady Trojans defeated the two time defending Sun Belt Conference champions Middle Tennessee 58-53 at the Jack Stephens Center Saturday. UALR (9-7, 1-2) shot 50 percent from the field and gave MTSU their first conference loss.
“It was a great win,” said head coach Joe Foley. “I congratulate the kids for working hard to fight back after the loss to Western Kentucky having only a one day turnaround. You want to play against the best and beat the best.”
Renee Renz recorded her sixth double-double of the season leading the team in points with 16 and rebounds with 11.
Jessica Brown set a season high with 12 points, while Andrea Keys contributed 11.
Heather Morris led the team in assists with seven and steals with four.
Middle Tennessee (9-7, 2-1) opened the first half with a jumper by LaCondra Mason. The Trojans answered back with six straight points before the Blue Raiders would tie the score at six.
At the 10:04 mark, UALR took their greatest lead of the half on two free throws by Renz.
A layup by Krystle Horton cut the Trojan lead to four with 7:45 remaining.
Both team exchanged baskets with Lakira Boyd sinking the final shot of the half sending UALR into the locker with a 25-20 lead.
The Trojans opened the second half with a nine point run. After a jumper by Horton for MTSU, Renz knocked in two points to expand the lead back to nine.
The Blue Raiders narrowed the UALR lead to five three times within two minutes on a layup by Chrissy Givens, a three-pointer by Monique Martin, and a jumper by Starr Orr.
At the 9:14 mark, Morris hit a long three-point to spark the Trojans to score seven consecutive points. UALR would expand their lead to as many as 15 points.
MTSU cut the lead to five with 2:16 remaining, but strong defense on both teams kept the score at 58-53.
Arkansas-Little Rock continues conference action on Thursday January 19 against North Texas. Tip-off is set for 5:15 p.m.
