Trojans Rally For Sun Belt-Opening Win Over Cajuns

LITTLE ROCK – For the second time this season, the Little Rock women's basketball came back from a 15-point deficit to win.
 
Just like Little Rock (7-6, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference) did at Tulsa on December 18, the Trojans rallied from behind for a 64-60 victory over Louisiana (6-4, 0-1) to open Sun Belt play at the Jack Stephens Center on Thursday night.
 
After the Ragin' Cajuns jumped out to a 22-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Trojans chipped away at the lead slowly throughout the rest of the game. Little Rock took its first lead at the 8:16 mark of the fourth quarter on a Kaitlyn Pratt layup and free throw, capping a 7-0 run to begin the fourth quarter.
 
Sharde' Collins was one point off her career high with 22, and Kyra Collier was three assists away from a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The 16 points and seven assists were both career highs. Pratt also scored in double figures with 15 points.
 
The 15-point comeback ties the Trojans' road win against Tulsa less than two weeks ago for the team's largest overcome deficit in a win in Joe Foley's 14 years as head coach.
 
The Cajuns started the game in rhythm offensively, making 10 of their 14 field-goal attempts in the first quarter. Combining that shooting proficiency with Little Rock shooting just 1 of 9 from the field and committing five turnovers, and the Cajuns had a 22-7 lead after the first quarter.
 
But the second quarter flipped that early script. Louisiana went just 3 of 12 from the floor in the period and Little Rock made eight field goals to outscore the Cajuns 17-7 and trail just 29-24 at halftime. Collins had 9 points in the quarter on 4 of 7 shooting.
 
The Cajuns expanded the lead to 9 points at 35-26 early in the second half, but Little Rock managed to stay close as the teams traded baskets for the rest of the third quarter. The Trojans were down just 46-42 after the period.
 
Monique Townson had a strong passing night with five assists and also had a team-high two steals in 40 minutes. Ronjanae DeGray had 2 points and four rebounds in 39 minutes of action, and Collins and Collier played 39 and 38 minutes, respectively. Townson added 7 points, and Carolee Dillard scored 2 points off the bench.
 
As a team, Little Rock was excellent from the free throw line, making 24 of 29 attempts. Louisiana, meanwhile, attempted just seven total free throws and made only three. Little Rock also scored 16 points off 13 Cajun turnovers and won the second-chance point battle 10-4.
 
The Trojans continue their opening weekend of Sun Belt play on Saturday when they face ULM at the Jack Stephens Center at 1 p.m. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the Trojan men also playing ULM at 3:30 p.m.