WOMEN : Foley’s Trojans cruise in opener
Posted on Monday, November 17, 2008
After more than 25 practices and preseason scrimmages, UALR women’s Coach Joe Foley said his players were ready to finally play an official game.
That turned out to be bad news for Sam Houston State.
The Trojans took an early lead and never trailed in their season opener, defeating the Bearkats 81-52 at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock on Sunday afternoon.
Junior Kim Sitzmann scored five three-pointers in the second half and finished with a team-leading 21 points for UALR, and junior Anshel Cooper added 17 points.
UALR, fresh off its first appearance in the WNIT and a Sun Belt Conference West Division Championship last season, has the experience with three returning starters. However, the Trojans lineup also features new players as well with freshman Channon Haywood starting and freshman Marian Kursh playing more than 15 minutes off the bench.
Foley said these early-season games should prepare his younger players to know what to expect and improve by the time the SBC schedule begins.
“It’s good to get out and play,” Foley said. “This time of year, it’s finding out what your team can do really well.”
Sophomore Chastity Reed scored two free throws with 8: 36 remaining in the first half as UALR opened the game with a 21-5 lead. The lead was largely because of mistakes by Sam Houston State on offense, which turned the ball over 12 times in the first 11 minutes.
Sam Houston State rallied to close UALR’s lead to 24-16 when Micalyn Slemmons scored a jumper with 4: 21 left in the first half.
The Trojans closed the first half on a 12-2 run because of four steals and fast-break shots. UALR extended the lead back to a more comfortable 36-18 lead by halftime, its largest lead of the half.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
