Little Rock struggles through frigid shooting conditions, falls to Southern Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Much like the rest of Arkansas, the Little Rock women's basketball team also suffered through ice cold conditions Thursday, and it cost them a share of the conference lead with a 58-48 loss to Southern Indiana.
 
The Trojans (5-12, 4-2 OVC) never could heat up on the court, shooting just 30 percent (18-of-60) from the floor and 23.1 percent (6-of-26) from long range while putting up their lowest point total since a Dec. 10 loss at Auburn when they scored just 45 points.
 
Jayla Brooks led the team with 11 points and Leilani Wimbish-Gay added 10 but they combined to make just 7-of-29 shots and 4-of-16 from behind the arc. Jaiyah Harris-Smith finished with eight rebounds and four assists while Trinity Hudson totaled six rebounds, four points and two blocks. Faith Lee managed just half of her season average and finished with seven points.
 
Southern Indiana (11-5, 6-0 OVC) won its seventh straight contest and led for more than 34 minutes against Little Rock. The Screaming Eagles outscored the Trojans inside the paint by a 30-14 margin, most of those coming from Madison Webb, who posted a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double, leading all players in both categories.
 
Little Rock trailed by just one at the end of the opening frame (13-12, then flipped the second quarter to lead by a point at the break (28-27). But they went even colder in the third period, managing just eight points and trailed 44-36 as the game went to the fourth. The Trojans got no closer than five the rest of the way.
 
The Trojans are off this weekend and return home next week to host Lindenwood on Thursday, Feb. 25, then welcome SEMO to the Jack Stephens Center on Saturday, Jan. 27.