The Little Rock Women's Basketball team turned in its best shooting performance of the season Saturday, shooting 61 percent to push the Trojans to a 86-80 win over Western Illinois at the Jack Stephens Center.
Five Trojans were in double-figures in Saturday's matchup.
Sug Williams led the crew with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Emerald Parker followed suit with 18 points and five rebounds.
Faith Lee contributed 14 points.
Jayla Brooks had 12 points with four rebounds, and
Jordan Holman pitched in 11 points. Senior
Mesi Triplett also added four points for the Trojans.
It was all Little Rock for three quarters, but Western Illinois wouldn't quit, pushing back in the final 10 minutes.
WIU's Allie Meadows hit a clutch three with 4:54 left to play, cutting the score to 76-73.
Lee turned a steal from WIU's Mia Nicastro into a layup with 3:46 left adding to the Trojan lead, 80-73.
OVC scoring leader Reagan McCowan made a jumper with just 2:38 left cutting the lead to 80-75.
The Trojans found their final push with a Leatherneck scoring drought in the final minute of play.
WIU fouled four times in the final 11 seconds, putting the Trojans on the charity line. Crucial free throws down the stretch by Williams and Brooks sealed the deal for the Trojans to end their home season with a win.
McCowan led the Leathernecks with a 35-point effort on 14-of-23 shooting. She also had four rebounds, one block, and two steals. Madison Davis also added 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
The Trojans shot 61.1 percent on 33-of-54 from the field and dominated the paint, outscoring WIU 52-44. Little Rock's bench added 20 points.
It was an offensive matchup, with only 19 total turnovers in the game. Little Rock had nine, while WIU had 10.
Little Rock converted those turnovers into nine points, and WIU turned those turnovers into 18 points.
The Trojans now end the regular season on the road next week, facing Eastern Illinois and SIU-Edwardsville. The Ohio Valley Conference tournament begins March 5.
