Little Rock slow out of the gate in loss to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For a third straight game, a shorthanded Little Rock women's team fell into an early hole and was unable to dig out Tuesday, falling 77-36 to the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. The Trojans remain winless in five all-time meetings against Arkansas.
 
BOX SCORE
 
The Trojans (0-3) fell behind by double digits in the opening period, trailed by as many as 20 in the first half and 32 in the third period. Little Rock also had a number of starters find themselves in early foul trouble, one fouling out midway into the third period. The Trojans scored the first points of the game – the first time they've led all season – but Arkansas (3-0) responded with a 15-0 run that gave the hosts all the cushion they would need.
 
Sug Williams scored the opening bucket of the game at the 9:30 mark of the game but the Trojans wouldn't get another field goal until the 7:09 mark of the second period, a scoreless drought lasting more than 12 minutes. By that time, Arkansas led by 17. Little Rock managed just 14 points in the first half but the offense picked up to score 16 points in the third frame. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks countered with a 27-point burst in the same period.
 
Sophomore transfer Annemarie Batista provided a bright spot for the Trojans, coming off the bench to hit three triples and score a team-high 13 points to go with five rebounds. Jordan Holman scored six points and grabbed six boards and Jaiyah Harris-Smith scored four points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists in her first game of the year. Arkansas was whistled for just seven personal fouls in the contest.
 
The non-conference gauntlet continues for Little Rock on Sunday when the Trojans welcome Alabama (3-0) to the Jack Stephens Center for a 1 pm tip-off.