Townson’s defense gets UALR rolling

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock women’s basketball team used its best offensive showing in three weeks to beat Missouri State 63-51 on Monday night.

The Trojans shot 46.3 percent from the floor at the Jack Stephens Center, their best showing since a 86-57 victory over Memphis to open the season Nov. 12. Led by Raeyana DeGray’s 14 points, they had four players score at least 10.

They were at their best in the first half, when they turned missed shots into easy baskets while shooting 53.3 percent to take a 37-20 lead.

“We were running the ball,” Coach Joe Foley said. “We were getting up and down the floor.”

But the offensive success three days after a 48-45 loss at Saint Louis in which the Trojans shot just 35.8 percent might not have happened if not for another standout defensive performance from guard Monique Townson.

The senior who started her 70th career game, the most on the team, constantly pestered guard Liza Fruendt, who entered as Missouri State’s leading scorer at 17.3 points per game.

“As she goes, they go,” Foley said.

Townson made sure the Bears didn’t, holding Fruendt scoreless through the first half and to a season-low 5 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Her two baskets came on a contested jumper in the third quarter and a three-pointer early in the fourth.

Townson — who finished with 8 points, 5 assists and 3 steals — made a point to limit Fruendt’s quick release while holding her to eight shot attempts, which tied a season-low.

“It’s a fun challenge,” Townson said of drawing tough defensive assignments. “I always want to guard the best person on the floor. It gives me something to look forward to every game — to try to stop their best player so we have a chance to win.”

As the Bears were missing shots, the Trojans were grabbing rebounds and racing to the other end. Shooting just 39.5 percent from the floor through the first six games, UALR (3-4) made 8 of 15 shots in the first quarter to take a 1910 lead, then 8 of 15 shots in the second quarter to go up 37-20.

“If they’re hitting, we can’t run,” Foley said. “So, Mo shut her down. She’s one of the better defensive players in the country now.”

Foley thought fatigue played into a second-half lull, when Missouri State (1-6) got as close as 47-38 on a Fruendt’s three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. But DeGray followed with a jumper, then Yanina Inkina scored the next six points on a three-point play and a three-pointer from the wing to put UALR up 5538.

Inkina, a native of Belarus who transferred from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, had 12 points in 27 minutes, both season highs.

“She’s getting used to us more than we’re getting used to her,” Foley said. “I thought tonight she had some good moments, and I think you’ll see her getting better and better.”