Little Rock locks down late, takes conference road win at UT Martin

MARTIN, Tenn. — The Little Rock women's basketball team locked down defensively Saturday to wear down host UT Martin and notch a 57-48 conference victory at the Elam Center. The Trojans (5-11, 4-1 OVC) held the Skyhawks (6-10, 3-2) to just six points on 2-of-10 shooting in the final period, 6-of-18 shooting in the entire second half and forced the home team into 26 turnovers while posting a differential of plus-18 to get their third consecutive win of the season.

UT Martin's Kenley McCarn – who had entered the game averaging 15.5 points per game – reached her average but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. After opening the game hitting 7-of-8 shots in the first frame, the Skyhawks were able to make just 9-of-27 the rest of the way. McCarn finished with 17 points and Anaya Brown had 15, but all five starters for the Skyhawks committed four turnovers.

Little Rock spread the scoring around with Faith Lee leading the way (16 points), Leilani Wimbish-Gay following with 13 points and four steals and Jayla Brooks adding 10 points, four rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Sug Williams came off the bench to add eight points, grab a team-high eight rebounds, and swipe three steals.

UT Martin led by as many as seven midway into the opening period and the game started fast with the two teams combining for 38 points over the first 10 minutes. However, defense took over and the game turned into a slugfest in the second as the teams combined for just 19 points and Little Rock maintained a 29-28 halftime lead.

The Skyhawks were able to one-up Little Rock in the third quarter and the game went into the fourth tied at 42-apiece. The game featured 11 lead changes and six ties, but the Trojans never trailed in the fourth, breaking a 48-48 tie at the 2:47 mark and ending the contest on a 9-0 run that included a clutch triple and pair of free throws from Brooks while Wimbish-Gay added a fast break bucket and jumper. During Little Rock's late run, the Skyhawks went 0-for-2 from the field and turned it over three times.

The Trojans will have a chance to take over the top spot in the OVC next week when they head Evansville, Ind. to face Southern Indiana on Thursday at 5 pm. The Eagles (10-5, 5-0 OVC) had a bye Saturday.