Newcomers Shine as Trojans Top UAPB in Homecoming Game

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It was Homecoming at the Jack Stephens Center on several levels Thursday evening. For a pair of Trojan newcomers, their first appearance in one of the toughest venues to play in resulted in yet another win for Little Rock's Team, this time a 60-56 win over UA Pine Bluff.
 
Nikki Metcalfe (16 points) and Faith Lee (14 points) led all players in scoring as Little Rock (1-0) celebrated its Homecoming game with a win.
 
For UA Pine Bluff's Raziya Potter and Azaria Robinson – former Trojans that transferred down to UAPB – the Homecoming wasn't quite as sweet. Potter was limited to nine points and whistled for four fouls while Robinson was held to three points and only four rebounds in the loss for the Golden Lions (0-2).
 
Although the Trojans rarely trailed, leading for over 30 minutes, the game was also never out of reach. Neither team built a double-digit lead and both teams struggled from the free throw line, shooting well under 60 percent.
 
"We practice tomorrow to get ready for Ole Miss on Sunday and I imagine we'll be working on our free throw shooting," said Little Rock Head Coach Joe Foley, who recorded his 834^th career win Thursday night.
 
But the defensive resiliency that is Little Rock's Team prevailed yet again by forcing 21 Pine Bluff turnovers, six of which came off steals. That defensive pressure, which Little Rock is known for, managed to withstand a 44-38 deficit in rebounds.
 
The new-look Trojans have seemingly picked up key aspects of Foley's man defense early on. Of the eight players in maroon that saw the court Thursday, seven were making their first appearance in a Little Rock jersey. That includes Ole Miss transfer Jaiyah Smith, who scored seven points and grabbed 11 rebounds in her final preparation before she faces her old team on Sunday.
 
Little Rock's scoring mostly came from new players, but it was from a mixture of young and old. Metcalfe, a graduate transfer from Arkansas Tech, led all players with 16 points while Faith Lee, a true freshman from Louisiana, scored 14 in her collegiate debut.
 
Coriah Beck led the Lions with 12 points. Little Rock held Maori Davenport to just five points and eight rebounds just days after she had a double-double (15 points, 14 rebounds) against Arkansas.
 
The Trojans now turn their attention to Ole Miss, who will visit the Jack Stephens Center on Sunday in what will be a marquee day in the Capital City. The playing floor will be named in honor of Foley in a pregame ceremony set to begin at 12:30 p.m.
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Basketball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWBB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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