Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?UALR outscored Creighton 17-6 in the remaining seven minutes of the game to win their season opener 66-55 Saturday at the Jack Stephens Center. The Trojans shot 50.9 percent for the game.
“The game was what I expected to happen,” said head coach Joe Foley. “We had some ups and downs. The last seven minutes was a great ballgame. You have to attribute that to the players with them being such a young team.”
Renee Renz led the team setting her career high with 27 points.
Nikya Hughes recorded her first double-double with 13 points and a team high of 11 rebounds, while Kim Sitzmann also recorded a double-double with 11 points and a team high of 10 assists.
Sitzmann also led the team with four steals.
UALR jumped on the board first with a jumper by Sitzmann. After the score tied twice, Creighton knocked in a basket for their first lead 6-4.
The Trojans regained the lead 11-6 on points by Anshel Cooper, Sitzmann, and Andrea Keys.
At 8:23, a three-pointer by Ally Thrall for Creighton gave the Bluejays an 18-16 advantage.
After Cooper knocked down four consecutive points, the Bluejays tied the score with a jumper.
At the 5:37 mark, Renz knocked down seven straight points to give the Trojans the 27-20 advantage.
A three-pointer by Tyrai Bronson edged the Bluejays within four, but UALR scored four points to hold on to the 30-28 half-time lead.
Creighton opened the second half knocking down six consecutive points.
At the 16:18 mark, the Trojans tied the score at 34 on a jumper by Renz.
A three by Thrall gave Creighton the 46-44 advantage with 9:57 remaining, but UALR knocked down four straight points by Hughes and Sitzmann to regain the lead.
Free throws by Creighton tied the game at 49.
UALR controlled the remaining seven minutes outscoring Creighton 17-6. Renz contributed eight of the 17 points.
The Trojans won the first ever meeting between the two teams 66-55.
UALR continues non-conference action Tuesday as they host Southern Arkansas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
