Trojans Top Previously Unbeaten Billikens by 13

LITTLE ROCK – The Trojan defense showed up in a big way, and Kaitlyn Pratt, Sharde' Collins and Kyra Collier combined for 44 points in a 56-43 victory over Saint Louis at the Jack Stephens Center on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing by 8 points entering the second quarter, Little Rock (2-4) held the Billikens (5-1) to just 6 points in the frame to take a 3-point lead into halftime. With the game still close entering the fourth, Little Rock scored 16 points in the final quarter while allowing just 6 from Saint Louis to pull away for the 13-point win.
 
Pratt scored 16 points to set a new season high and added a career-high 17 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Collins finished with 15 points, and Collier scored a career-high 13 including a dagger 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter and 4 free throws in the final minute to ice the game.
 
Ronjanae DeGray scored 8 points for the Trojans and grabbed nine rebounds, both career highs. Though she did not score, Monique Townson was vital on defense and picked up eight assists to tie her career high.
 
After falling behind 19-11 to end the first quarter, Little Rock's offense and defense combined for an excellent second quarter. The Trojans held the Billikens without a made field goal for the first eight minutes of the quarter and outscored Saint Louis 17-6 in the period to take a 28-25 lead into halftime.
 
The teams each scored 12 points in the third quarter, but Little Rock's defense again shone in the fourth. The Billikens went 3 of 13 from the field in the period, and Little Rock made its first two 3-pointers of the night to pull away.
 
The win was a small measure of revenge for Little Rock, as the Trojans' 2015-16 season ended against the Billikens in the WNIT First Round at Chaifetz Arena.
 
Little Rock plays its next game on the road, traveling to Missouri State for a 7:05 p.m. tipoff on Monday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.