Offensive Improves but Trojans Fall to Crimson-Hot Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Little Rock found improvement in its offense Thursday night with Faith Lee leading the way matching a career-high 16 points, but Alabama withstood the Trojans' tough defense in a 69-44 decision at Coleman Coliseum in front of 1,807 fans.
 
The Crimson Tide (8-2) entered the game averaging less than 14 turnovers per game struggled to hold on to the ball with 21 turnovers but shot 47.1% from the field and hit 9 of 21 shots (42.1%) from beyond the arc to keep the game out of reach. That marked the fourth consecutive game the Trojans have forced 20 or more turnovers out of its opponent.
 
Little Rock (2-7), facing its fifth Southeastern Conference opponent of the season, was led by Lee's output as well as Nikki Metcalfe's 13 points, which included the first made 3-point shot for the Trojans since Nov. 23.
 
The Trojans shot 35.4% from the field – the team's highest mark in four games – with a 42.3% mark in the second half. Lee scored 12 of her 16 points after the intermission while Angelique Francis scored all nine of her points and grabbed four of her five rebound after halftime.
 
Of the 21 Alabama turnovers, the second-most the Crimson Tide have committed this season, 10 came from Little Rock steals with four different Trojans recording multiple steals. Jayla Brooks recorded a game-high three swipes.
 
In its sixth consecutive win, Alabama was led by Karly Weather's 17 points, 12 of which came from 3-point range. Brittany Davis scored 16 points but her three rebounds was half of her 6.1 per game average entering the contest.
 
The biggest difference in the game came in the paint where the tall Tide posted a 41-22 rebounding advantage and had a 28-18 lead in points in the paint.
 
Little Rock, having weathered its annual tour through the western half of the SEC with five games against the powerful league in a stretch that included a win over an SEC team (Texas A&M) for the third straight year, now returns home to host rival Arkansas State at the Jack Stephens Center on Sunday, Dec. 18.
 
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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