NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Little Rock used a dominant third quarter and a composed finish to earn a 60–54 road victory over Tennessee State on Thursday night at the Gentry Center, strengthening its position in the Ohio Valley Conference race.
The Trojans improved to 10-10 overall and 6-4 in OVC play, snapping back into form with a 21-point third quarter that flipped the game's momentum and proved decisive. Tennessee State fell to 3-17 (2-9 OVC).
"This was a really solid road win for our group," Little Rock head coach
Steve Wiedower said. "We didn't play our best in the first half, but our response coming out of the locker room was exactly what you want to see. Our defense, our rebounding and our toughness carried us."
The opening quarter featured a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find rhythm.
Alaina Payne got Little Rock on the board first with a jumper, while
Jordan Holman added an early layup and free throw. Tennessee State closed the quarter strong, however, and held a 12–9 lead after one.
The Tigers extended their advantage in the second quarter, using transition baskets and timely shooting to build a double-digit lead. Little Rock continued to battle defensively but entered halftime trailing 28–22.
The game turned decisively after the break.
Little Rock outscored Tennessee State 21–12 in the third quarter, sparked by improved ball movement, attacking the paint and a stifling defensive effort.
Brenna Burk opened the scoring with a pair of free throws, while
Mya Cottorepeatedly finished at the rim to cut into the deficit. Holman drilled a key three-pointer late in the quarter to give the Trojans their first lead, and Payne capped the surge with a jumper at the buzzer to make it 43–40.
"We knew we had to come out more aggressive," Holman said. "We trusted each other, got stops, and started playing Trojan basketball. Once we got going defensively, everything else followed."
Little Rock's defense limited Tennessee State to just two made field goals in the third quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
The Trojans maintained control in the fourth quarter, opening with a Burk layup and continuing to apply pressure on both ends. Payne made her presence felt with a steal and a basket, while Cotto added another layup to keep the margin intact. When the Tigers closed within three midway through the quarter, Holman calmly knocked down free throws to push the lead back to two possessions.
Burk delivered the final blow, burying a three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Holman led Little Rock with a double-double, finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and six made free throws, while Payne added 15 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Cotto chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, and Burk contributed 10 points, including two timely three-pointers.
"This is the kind of win that matters in this league," Wiedower said. "Winning on the road takes discipline and togetherness, and I was proud of how our group stayed connected and finished the game."
The Trojans are back in action Saturday at 1 p.m. at Tennessee Tech.
