Box Score MIAMI, Fla.?The UALR women's basketball team lost 61-55 to Florida International Wednesday at Pharmed Arena falling to 17-7 overall and 9-4 in Sun Belt Conference action. This was the fifth straight win for the Golden Panthers.
Anshel Cooper led all scorers with her fourth straight 20-plus game with a season high of 29 points, while Nikya Hughes and Kim Sitzmann contributed six points a piece.
Hughes also led the team in rebounds with nine.
After Florida International won the tip, Asha Neal put the first points up for the Golden Panthers with a jumper. Andrea Keys answered back with a free throw after missing her first attempt.
Over the next three minutes, FIU out scored the Trojans eight to three including four points from Jasmine Jenkins to take a 10-4 lead.
A steal followed by a fast break layup by Hughes sparked a 6-0 run including back-to-back jumpers by Cooper to tie the score at ten with 12:51 until the half.
With 9:41 on the clock, Cooper knocked down the next field goal from Rolfe to give UALR their first lead of the game. Sitzmann then Cooper knocked down back-to-back layups to give the Trojans a 16-10 advantage.
FIU scored their first field goal in almost nine minutes on a three-pointer by Tabitha Drake to come within three.
The Golden Panthers regained their lead with five straight points by Iva Ciglar with 5:48 until the half.
Within the next 35 seconds, FIU knocked down two three-pointers to UALR's jumper by Cooper to bring the score to 24-18.
In the remaining 2:46, the Trojans out scored the Golden Panthers five to two including four points from Cooper to cut FIU's lead 26-23 at half-time.
Cooper opened the second half with a layup followed by a jumper by Monika Bosilj for FIU. With 17:44 on the clock, UALR knocked down four straight points from Sitzmann and Cooper to regain a 29-28 advantage.
After both teams exchanged baskets, Cooper gave UALR a three-point lead on a jumper, before Bosilj tied the scored at 33 on a three-point basket.
Over the next two and a half minutes, FIU out scored the Trojans eight to four to regain a 41-37 advantage.
UALR tied the scored at 41 with a jumper by Hughes and free throws by Asriel Rolfe, before Fanni Hultassa knocked down back-to-back three-pointer for FIU to bring the score to 47-41 in the Golden Panthers' favor.
Both teams exchanged baskets with FIU holding a two point lead. The Golden Panthers scored four straight points, before Cooper knocked down a jumper to bring the score to 53-49 with 4:51 remaining.
After two missed free throws by the Trojans, FIU knocked down ten points to UALR's six to win their fifth straight victory 61-55.
UALR continues basketball action on Saturday as they host New Orleans at the Jack Stephens Center. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.
