UALR puts Sun Belt on lockdown

UALR 63, TEXAS STATE 48

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock women’s basketball team won its sixth consecutive Sun Belt Conference game 63-48 over Texas State on Saturday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center, forcing another opponent to shoot well below its average.

UALR (9-8, 6-0 Sun Belt) held Texas State (11-5, 4-2) to its lowest point total of the season, and the Trojans held their opponent below 40 percent shooting for the third consecutive game. The Trojans entered the game allowing their opponents to shoot 39.8 percent per game, which ranks sixth in the Sun Belt and 176th nationally.

“We’re just getting smarter,” UALR Coach Joe Foley said. “We know what we’re trying to do. We know what we’re trying to take away, and they understand the importance of taking away certain things.”

Foley said the Trojans tried to limit Texas State guards Toshua Leavitt and Taeler Deer, who combined to score 33 points in the game but also coughed up five turnovers.

Leavitt was 6-of-10 shooting (60 percent) for 20 points, while the rest of the Bobcats combined to go 10 of 39 (25.6 percent) — including just eight points in each the second and third quarters

UALR junior forward Ronjanae

DeGray scored a gamehigh 23 points, 19 of which came during the second half to help the Trojans build on a 30-26 halftime lead.

Texas State built a 14-6 lead in the first quarter on the strength of three-pointers off UALR turnovers. Trojans freshman guard Terrion Moore’s pass toward the basket was intercepted and led to a three-pointer by Leavitt, a junior guard. Then, the Bobcats’ Deer was left open on the right wing, and she made her three-pointer while the UALR bench hollered for a teammate to close.

UALR senior guard Monique Townson’s pass went out of bounds on the next possession, and Leavitt made another three-pointer to go up 14-6 with 4:05 left in the first quarter.

The 9-0 run was halted by a media timeout.

“Offensively, we started a bit spotty,” Foley said. “But we got better as the game got going.”

Townson scored on a breakaway layup after she intercepted a lateral pass at the top of the key. The play jolted the Trojans, which began to have more success with their passes to the low post. Raeyana DeGray scored easily from the block, then senior forward Keanna Keys scored her team’s next eight points — including a pivoted step-back jumper that put UALR up 24-21 with 3:29 left in the half — to complete a 10-0 run.

Townson finished with 7 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. She turned two of her steals into fastbreak layups, which has become a trademark for her.

“I just know the scouting reports,” Townson said. “I feel like if I have the opportunity, I’m going to go for it, and hopefully my teammates will have my back if I don’t get it. It’s just a chance. And I like taking risks. This is my last year, so I’m going to keep doing it.”

Texas State’s offensive struggles peaked in the third period, when the Bobcats were 2-of-11 shooting (18 percent) with 4 turnovers. The Bobcats went 0 of 8 to close the quarter.

UALR’s lead widened behind an 8-0 run to 44-32 with 1:21 left in the third.

“That’s wearing people down,” Foley said.

UALR will next host Arkansas State on Saturday.

ARKANSAS STATE 85, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 80

Starr Taylor scored a career-high 20 points and Arkansas State University (9-8, 4-2 Sun Belt) earned a victory over Texas-Arlington (8-9, 2-4) in Jonesboro.

Akasha Westbrook finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lauren Bradshaw scored 17 points. Tahlon Hopkins had 12 points while Payton Tennison added 11 points for the Red Wolves.

Rebekah VanDijk had a game-high 31 points and 18 rebounds for the Mavericks.