Harvey, Metcalfe Score 17 Each in Rout of Arkansas State

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tia Harvey and Nikki Metcalfe each scored 17 points and Little Rock's defense suffocated Arkansas State in a 60-44 rout of the Red Wolves in front of 1,831 fans Sunday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center.
 
The Red Wolves (5-6) had entered the game averaging nearly 73 points per game, shooting over 41% from the field and 03.4% from 3-point range. They left the Jack Stephens Center with season lows in scoring and shooting while still seeking their first-ever win in the building.
 
Little Rock claimed its 18^th consecutive home win over Arkansas State after limiting ASU to 15-for-60 (25%) shooting and just 1 of 11 (9%) from 3-point range. At the same time, Little Rock's offensive struggles this season were seemingly forgotten as the Trojans (3-7) shot 46.2% from the field and scored a season-high 60 points.   
 
Harvey (career) and Metcalfe (season) both set scoring high marks while Jaiyah Harris-Smith dished out a career-best eight assists to go along with her eight points and nine rebounds.  
 
Faith Lee, the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week, grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and a career-best four steals in the game while scoring eight points and Nikki Metcalfe registered a season-best five blocks, matching the most recorded by an OVC player in a single game this season.
 
The Trojans came out of halftime with a slim 24-20 lead and immediately caught fire, exploding with an 8-0 run before Arkansas State could manage to call a timeout. But that only led to a Nikki Metcalfe AND-1 opportunity that she followed up with another made jump shot less than 30 seconds later to extend the run to 13 straight points.
 
Arkansas State would not be able to recover from that stretch, getting out-scored 22-10 in a quarter where Little Rock was 8-for-12 (67%) from the field while holding ASU to just 3 of 12 shooting in the period.
 
For every run the Red Wolves attempted to put together in the fourth quarter, the Trojans had an answer with Little Rock leading by as much as 20 before bleeding the clock to secure the 60-44 win.
 
Five of Little Rock's eight players that saw action shot 40% or better with Metcalfe going 8-for-14 to lead all players. She also grabbed eight rebounds, matching the most she's claimed in a Little Rock uniform.
 
Little Rock has now won five straight in the series over A-State overall with 18 consecutive wins in the Capital City.
 
The Trojans wrap up non-conference play Wednesday afternoon at Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and the game will air live on ESPN+ and the Little Rock Sports Network (920 AM The Sports Animal).
 
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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