Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?The UALR women's basketball team won their second straight meeting over Florida International 65-44 Saturday at the Jack Stephens Center while extending their home winning streak to 12. The Trojans improve to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in Sun Belt Conference action.
“I thought we took them out of their game plan,” said head coach Joe Foley. “The defense was a big part of the win tonight. We take pride in that.”
Nikya Hughes recorded game highs and her second double-double of the season tying her career high with 22 points and tying her season high of 12 rebounds.
Anshel Cooper contributed nine points, while Asriel Rolfe knocked down six points and recorded a team high of eight assists.
After FIU (3-8, 0-2) won the tip, the first field goal dropped at the 16:35 mark as Rolfe scored on a layup followed by a jumper by Rolfe to give UALR a 4-0 lead.
Over the next three and a half minutes, the Trojans out scored the Golden Panthers seven to four with all of FIU's points coming from LaQuetta Ferguson.
FIU knocked down a jumper at the 11:37 mark, before UALR held the Golden Panthers scoreless over the next three minutes while knocking down seven including four from Hughes.
After an FIU jumper a 7:10, two free throws by Jessica Brown sparked a seven point run by the Trojans to take a 25-8 advantage.
In the remaining four minutes, the Golden Panthers out scored UALR seven to four to bring the Trojan half-time lead to 29-15.
The second half opened with both teams exchanging baskets starting with a jumper by Fanni Hutlassa for FIU.
A three-pointer by Hughes sparked an eight point run by the Trojans at the 14:50 mark including two three-pointers by the senior.
Over the next four minutes, UALR out scored FIU six to four to expand their advantage to 22 with 8:33 remaining.
Throughout the remainder of the game both teams knocked down baskets with FIU cutting the lead to 19 in the remaining seconds. The Trojans won 65-45.
UALR continues basketball action on Friday December 28 as they face Kansas State at the Loyola Marymount Holiday Tournament in Los Angeles, Calif. Game is set for 6 p.m. C.S.T.
