Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?For the first time since 2000 and only the second time in school history, the UALR women's basketball team defeated South Alabama 67-58 at the Jack Stephens Center Saturday. The Trojans improve to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in Sun Belt action while extending their home winning streak to 15.
“I thought it was a great ball game the second half,” said head coach Joe Foley. “I thought South Alabama shot the ball extremely well, and we tried to stop them. I thought we kept our patience and didn't rush around. Andrea did a great job scoring for us in the second half. It was a great win for us.”
Nikya Hughes led all scorers with a career high of 30 points going 10-of-16 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the line, while Andrea Keys knocked down 12 points.
Kim Sitzmann scored nine points and brought down a team high of eight rebounds, while Asriel Rolfe led the team in assists with six.
After a UALR turnover, South Alabama knocked down five straight points to open the half on a jumper by Shakira Nettles and a three by Jeanette Tucker.
Anshel Cooper scored the first points for the Trojans with a jumper from Keys.
Over the next two minutes, both teams exchanged baskets with the Jaguars keeping their advantage 11-8.
At the 13:32 mark, Hughes knocked down a jumper sparking a 15-0 run including scoring 11 of the points to give UALR the 23-11 lead.
South Alabama knocked down their next field goal at the 7:34 mark with a three-pointer by Karina Sproal.
The Trojans went on a 7-0 run over the next three minutes, before Tucker knocked down a three-pointer to bring the score to 30-17.
UALR out scored the Jaguars five to three to go into half-time 35-20.
South Alabama opened the second half scoring five straight points including a three by Monique Jones to cut the Trojan lead to ten.
Over the next two minutes, UALR out scored USA nine to two with all nine points coming from three-pointers by Hughes.
After both teams exchanged baskets, the Jaguars knocked down six straight points all from Tucker to edge USA within nine.
Chastity Reed scored UALR's next field goal at the 13:33 mark on a jumper, before South Alabama scored seven straight points including a three-pointer by Sproal bringing the score to 48-44.
UALR extended their lead back to ten with four straight points. USA answered back with back-to-back three-pointers to bring the Jaguars within four.
Over the next five minutes, Keys scored all eight points for the Trojans as USA remained scoreless giving UALR the 62-50 advantage.
South Alabama out scored UALR eight to seven in the remaining minutes, but UALR kept their advantage to win their fourth straight 67-58.
UALR continues conference action on Thursday as they travel to Troy, Ala. to face Troy. Game is set for 5:15 p.m.
