Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?For the first time since 2004, the UALR women's basketball team defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 83-51 and extended their home winning streak to 13 at the Jack Stephens Center Thursday. The Trojans improve to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt Conference action.
“I thought we were very patient against their zone,” said head coach Joe Foley. “I thought we picked it apart well. Kim shot really good, and Anshel and Nikya got to the rim. I thought we did a great job on defense and got them frustrated.”
Nikya Hughes recorded her fifth 20-point game of the season leading all scorers with 22 points, while Kim Sitzmann contributed 17 points including a season-high five three-pointers.
Anshel Cooper knocked down ten points in the win, and Chastity Reed and Hughes led the team in rebounds with six.
Asriel Rolfe led the team in assists with eight.
Louisiana-Lafayette knocked down the first field goal with a jumper by Alicia McDaniel followed by a three-pointer by Sitzmann for the Trojans.
After Cooper knocked down a jumper from Sitzmann, the Ragin' Cajuns scored five straight points including a three-pointer from D'Mya Clay to take a 7-5 advantage.
With 16:37 on the clock, Sitzmann knocked down a three-pointer to spark an 8-0 run to regain a 12-7 lead.
Both teams exchanged baskets, before Sitzmann knocked down another three-pointer followed by a put back by Hughes to bring the score to 21-11.
Over the next four minutes, UALR out scored Louisiana-Lafayette nine to six to keep a 30-17 lead.
With 1:11 until the half, Rolfe knocked down a three-pointer, before Courtney Ratliff scored for the Ragin' Cajuns with 0.1 on the clock to bring the half-time score to 38-24 in UALR's favor.
Louisiana-Lafayette opened the second half with a three by Onna Charles followed by a jumper by Hughes from Rolfe for the Trojans.
Over the next five minutes, UALR out scored the Ragin' Cajuns 15 to 8 including eight points from Hughes to expand their lead to 20 with 12:33 remaining.
At the 9:49 mark, a layup by Hughes sparked a ten point run for the Trojans, before the Ragin Cajuns' scored five straight points including a three-pointer by Jasmine Barnes to bring the score to 70-44.
Over the remaining minutes, the Trojans scored 12 points including two three-pointers by Rachel Smith to Louisiana-Lafayette's five to win 83-51.
UALR continues Sun Belt Conference action on Sunday as they travel to Denver, Colo. to face the University of Denver. Tip is set for 2 p.m. C.S.T.
