Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?Despite Louisiana-Monroe holding UALR scoreless for nine minutes and 23 seconds in the second half, Renee Renz knocked down three free throws with less than two seconds remaining to edge the Trojans over the Warhawks 52-49 at the Jack Stephens Center Saturday. UALR improves to 16-8 overall and 8-5 in Sun Belt Conference action.
“I am pleased that we stayed in the game with our defense,” said head coach Joe Foley. “Offensively we would have liked to have played better. With Kim sitting over there next to me most of the game, it really hurts our offense quite a bit. We had to get through that.”
Kim Sitzmann and Anshel Cooper led the team with 12 points a piece, while Nikya Hughes knocked down 11 points and lead the team with a career high of five blocks.
Rachel Smith recorded a team high of eight assists, while Andrea Keys brought down a team high of eight rebounds.
Nedra Winston led the Warhawks with 13 points.
After UALR won the opening tip, Sitzmann scored all six of the opening points for the Trojans. ULM (14-9, 4-8 Sun Belt) scored their first points with back-to-back free throws to bring the score to 6-2.
Both teams exchanged points over the next five minutes with ULM scoring seven to UALR's six.
The Trojans took their greatest lead of ten points at the 7:19 mark on a three-pointer by Renz, before the Warhawks knocked down four straight points to bring the score to 21-15.
After both teams exchanged baskets, ULM cut the UALR lead to three with 1:58 remaining until the half.
Cooper knocked down a jumper with 6.5 seconds on the clock to bring the half-time score to 26-21.
Cooper started the second half knocking down four straight points for the Trojans before Shannon Lloyd knocked down a jumper at the 17:44 mark.
Over the next four minutes, UALR outscored ULM 8-4 to maintain a 38-29 advantage.
The Trojans expanded their lead to 12 with 11:19 remaining on a jumper by Sitzmann.
After Cooper's jumper at the 10:39 mark, ULM held the Trojans scoreless for the next nine minutes and 23 seconds while taking their first lead of the game 47-45.
At the 1:15 mark, Renz knocked down two free throws to tie the score, before Cooper's free throw regained the lead for UALR.
ULM tied the score on a jumper by Winston, before Renz knocked down a free throw with 1.6 seconds remaining.
With 0.7 on the clock, Renz made two free throws to give the Trojans a 52-49 victory.
UALR continues Sun Belt action on Thursday, February 8 as they travel to Denver, Colo. to face the University of Denver. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. C.S.T.
