Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?Four Trojans scored in double figures as the UALR women's basketball team won their home opener 81-52 over Sam Houston State Sunday at the Jack Stephens Center. The Trojans recorded 14 steals in the win while forcing 26 Bearkat turnovers.
“Four people scoring in double-figures was a key for us, especially playing against the zone,” said head coach Joe Foley. “I thought Mattliyn McIntyre did a good job off the bench for us. At times I thought we played real well defensively. We put a lot of pressure on them in the first half and forced a lot of turnovers.”
Kim Sitzmann led all scorers with 21 points including five three-pointers and led the team in steals with five, while Chastity Reed recorded a double-double with 12 points and a team high 11 rebounds.
Anshel Cooper recorded 17 points for the game, and Mattilyn McIntyre recorded a career high 11 points.
After winning the opening tip, UALR scored six consecutive points on jumpers by Cooper and Reed and free throws by Asriel Rolfe.
Sam Houston State (0-2) scored their first field goal of the game at the 15:10 mark on a jumper by Brittany Brooks.
Over the next five minutes, the Trojans out scored the Bearkats 13-3 including seven from Cooper.
After two free throws by Reed, SHSU scored four straight points on jumpers bringing the score to 21-9 with 7:57 until the half.
UALR sustained their lead including scoring two back-to-back fast break layups on steals by Sitzmann and Rolfe bringing the score to 32-18.
In the remaining minute of the half, the Trojans held the Bearkats to no points while knocking down four to go into the locker room with a 36-18 lead.
Sam Houston State opened the second half with a jumper by Bre Agnew followed by a three-pointer by Leasa Ailshie. UALR answered back with a three-pointer by Rolfe and a jumper by Reed to bring the score to 41-23.
Over the next five minutes, UALR outscored SHSU eight to six including two three-pointers by Sitzmann.
With 9:00 remaining, the Bearkats knocked down two three-pointers to the Trojans' one by Sitzmann to bring the score to 55-38 in UALR's favor.
The Trojans sustained their advantage and scored the last four points of the game on free throws by McIntyre and a layup by Butler to win 81-52.
UALR continues basketball action on Tuesday as they host Southern Arkansas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
