Box Score JONESBORO, Ark.?After leading by as many as nine points and 31-22 at half-time, the UALR women's basketball team scored only 19 points in the second half losing 53-50 to in-state rivals Arkansas State Sunday at the Convocation Center. UALR falls to 9-5 overall and 1-2 in Sun Belt Conference action.
Kim Sitzmann led all scorers with 20 points including 16 in the first half, while Nikya Hughes contributed 15 points.
Chastity Reed led the team in rebound with seven and knocked down six points.
The Trojans opened the first half with a steal and fast break layup by Reed. ASU (8-7, 3-1 SBC) answered back with a three-point play by Sherina Scott to give them a 3-2 advantage.
Over the next two minutes, UALR knocked down seven straight points including a three-point play by Sitzmann to take an 9-3 lead.
At the 16:07 mark, Courtney Starr sparked an eight point run with a three-pointer as the Lady Indians regained a two point lead.
With 11:54 in the half, Sitzmann knocked down a three-point basket which started a 10-0 run for the Trojans including six points coming from Sitzmann.
ASU knocked down their next field goal at the 7:56 mark on a jumper by Veronica Smith to bring the score to 19-13.
Three free throws by the Lady Indians brought ASU within three. After a jumper by Hughes, Rachel Baker knocked down a three-pointer for Arkansas State to cut the lead to two.
Both team exchanged baskets with a jumper by Reed for UALR and free throws by Jazmine Taylor for ASU.
With 2:27 until the half, Sitzmann knocked down two straight three-pointer to extend the Trojan lead to eight.
After a free throw by ASU, Hughes scored the last field goal of the half with 1:27 on the clock to bring the score to 31-22.
UALR recorded a 40.6 field goal percentage for the first half compared to 25.0 by ASU and forced ten Lady Indian turnovers.
Arkansas State opened the second half on a 6-2 run with the only field goal coming from Anshel Cooper at the 17:25 mark.
A steal and a layup by Ebonie Jefferson cut the UALR to three, before Sitzmann knocked down a three-pointer with 14:56 on the clock to bring the score to 36-30.
Over the next four minutes, ASU out scored the Trojans 7-2 to cut the lead to one with 12:00 remaining.
With 11:21 on the clock, Brittney Hiles scored on a three-point play to give the Lady Indians their first lead since the first half 40-38.
Over the next three minutes, ASU out scored UALR six to three to keep a five point advantage.
With 3:38 remaining, back-to-back jumpers by Asriel Rolfe and Andrea Keys brought UALR within two.
Sitzmann made a free throw with 35.5 on the clock, but Scott knocked down a jumper with 6.5 left to give the Lady Indians the 53-50 win.
UALR continues conference action on Thursday as they host Louisiana-Lafayette. Game is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
