LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock produced one of its most disruptive defensive performances of the season, forcing 20 turnovers and grabbing 11 steals, but the Trojans' pressure wasn't enough to overcome UT Arlington's interior scoring in a tightly contested 62–55 matchup Tuesday night at the Jack Stephens Center.
Little Rock outscored the Mavericks in the fourth quarter and stayed within striking distance throughout, showcasing effort, resilience, and steady improvements as conference play approaches.
"We played well defensively, but we committed too many turnovers," Little Rock head coach Steve Wiedower said. "I'm proud of how we fought back in the fourth quarter and put ourselves in position late. UT Arlington made some timely plays, and you have to give them credit, but our team showed a lot of heart."
The Trojans trailed just 15–11 after a competitive first quarter powered by active hands, three blocked shots, and early shot-making from Brenna Burk. The sophomore guard set the tone offensively with two threes — the first less than a minute in off an Alaina Payne assist — helping Little Rock counter Arlington's early paint touches. Despite the visitors converting a few fast-break chances, the Trojans matched the Mavericks with four lead changes and kept the game within one possession until the final minute of the quarter.
Little Rock continued to chip away in the second. Naomi Smitherman's strong finish inside off a Payne feed at 8:36 kept the Trojans within reach, and the defense again generated stops that slowed Arlington's rhythm. Burk added another late three and, with Jordan Holman drilling a deep triple as the buzzer sounded, the Trojans carried momentum into halftime down just 31–25.
Little Rock continued to battle through the third quarter. After Arlington opened with a couple of mid-range jumpers, the Trojans responded with Holman scoring on a cut and later burying a wing three at 5:12 thanks to crisp ball movement. Cotto's three with three seconds remaining was another timely answer, keeping the deficit at eight entering the fourth and setting up a final push.
The Trojans delivered that push. Their fourth-quarter pressure produced four steals, and Little Rock outscored Arlington 16–15 in the final period. Payne's late layup with :48 left trimmed the deficit again, and Holman's jumper with :07 remaining capped off a strong individual night. Even as Arlington relied heavily on size in the paint to close the game, Little Rock's defensive intensity and shot-making kept the outcome in question until the final minute.
The Trojans finished the night with clear positives: turnover pressure that never let up, balanced perimeter scoring, and a fourth-quarter surge that reflected the team's grit. With that trajectory, Little Rock heads into its next matchup with confidence and momentum.
The Trojans wrap up the week on Saturday night when they host Central Arkansas at the Jack Stephens Center. Tip time is set for 6 p.m., followed by the Little Rock men's game against Arkansas State at 8 p.m.
