LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock used relentless defensive pressure and a strong interior presence to roll past Hendrix College, 73–52, Monday evening at the Jack Stephens Center.
The Trojans (5–7) forced 27 Hendrix turnovers, converting them into 30 points, while also controlling the paint with a 38–28 scoring advantage inside. Hendrix struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting 18-of-42 from the floor.
"It was good to get a win at home tonight," Little Rock head coach
Steve Wiedower said. "We focused on our defense, and I thought we did a good job with it. We played well in the second half."
Hendrix opened the game with an early edge behind free throws from Riley Brady, but Little Rock quickly responded.
Destinee Salgado's layup tied the contest before
Jordan Holman sparked the Trojans with a three-pointer and a strong finish inside to swing momentum.
Alaina Payne added a pair of free throws, and
Mya Cotto buried a three as Little Rock surged ahead. Despite a late Hendrix basket, Cotto's layup in the final seconds gave the Trojans an 18–17 lead after one quarter.
Little Rock seized control in the second quarter, opening with a 14–2 run fueled by efficient paint touches and defensive stops. Holman and
Brenna Burk combined on a key sequence that highlighted the Trojans' command of tempo, while
Lidia Belmonte Hurtado knocked down a momentum-shifting three. Hendrix continued to struggle with ball security, committing nine turnovers in the quarter, as Little Rock took a 38–27 lead into halftime.
The Trojans maintained their advantage in the third quarter. Burk connected on a three-pointer off a Payne assist, and Holman added another triple as Little Rock continued to capitalize on turnovers and second-chance opportunities. A jumper from
Taelor Coxford closed the quarter with the Trojans firmly in front, 52–40.
Little Rock put the game away early in the fourth. Burk opened the period with a three, and Payne followed with a steal and coast-to-coast layup to extend the lead. The Trojans' perimeter defense stifled Hendrix down the stretch, and a steal by
Ashley Lester led to a fastbreak layup from Belmonte Hurtado, sealing the victory.
"We're still a work in progress with new players, but we're improving every game," Holman said. "We played better together tonight, and our defense was very good in the second half. We're going to keep improving with each game."
Holman led Little Rock with 16 points and five rebounds, while Burk finished with 10 points, two three-pointers, and three assists. Payne filled the stat sheet with four steals and three assists, Cotto added nine points, two steals, and a block, and
Jarahle Daniels chipped in four points, two steals, and two assists.
Little Rock returns to action Thursday, Jan. 1, hosting Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. CT inside the Jack Stephens Center.
"It will be nice for everybody to be able to go home and rest and enjoy time with their families. Then we will come back and get ready for Tennessee Tech," Wiedower said. "The time off should really help us get some rest and have some more energy when we return."
