MACOMB, Illinois — The Little Rock women's basketball team resorted to a tried-and-true tactic to secure a road conference win Thursday night – defense. The Trojans held Western Illinois to just four points in the fourth period and 24 percent shooting for the night on the way to a 50-41 victory at Western Hall.
Little Rock (9-14 overall, 8-4) regained sole possession of second place in the OVC while the host Leathernecks (15-7, 6-5) lost for just the second time on their home floor. Western Illinois managed to make just 12-of-50 shots, including a second quarter where they were 0-for-14, getting all six of their points in the period at the free throw line. In the fourth, the Leathernecks were just 2-of-15 from the floor.
Faith Lee and
Jordan Holman each had 10 points to lead the Trojans, while
Leilani Wimbish-Gay and
Jaiyah Harris-Smith added eight apiece. Harris-Smith also finished with six rebounds and six assists.
Jayla Brooks and
Sha'Nequa Henry each had five rebounds while Henry came up with five steals to help Little Rock force 19 turnovers.
Little Rock opened with just six points in the first period as both teams struggled to put points on the board, slugging their way to a 21-19 lead for the Leathernecks at halftime. Both teams turned it up a notch in the third – combining for 33 points – while Western Illinois managed to take a 37-36 lead into the final frame. The Leathernecks had more turnovers (4) than shots made (2) in the final 10 minutes.
