13 Nov 2024 Trojans start tough, three-game road stretch at Auburn

Posted at 5:42 PMh in Sports by

With Monday’s overtime loss to Arkansas behind them, the Little Rock Women’s Basketball squad is geared up for a string of tough road games – beginning with tonight’s contest against Auburn at Neville Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. while the game is available for live streaming on ESPN+/SEC Network and can also be heard on Sports Animal 920 AM. Little Rock (1-1) had a 16-point lead slip away against the Razorbacks earlier this week but now faces three straight games against Power 5 schools – all on the road. The Trojans will also travel to face #10 Kansas State next Monday and Missouri on Nov. 22.

UA Little Rock women’s basketball game action against the University of Arkansas. Photo by Beatriz Garcia

PRIME PERFORMERS

A trio of Trojans turned in outstanding efforts in Monday’s 71-60 overtime loss to Arkansas. Faith Lee pumped in a team-high 21 points and grabbed four rebounds, Sug Williams added 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Emerald Parker pulled down 16 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. Parker’s rebound total ties for seventh-most in program history for a single game.

SILENT STRETCH

After posting a 25-point third period Monday to take an 11-point lead into the final frame, Little Rock was outscored 29-7 during the fourth quarter and overtime, making just 2-of-20 shots from the field (10%) and 3-of-10 from the free throw line (30%). From the end of the third into the late stages of the fourth period, the Trojans went a stretch of 7:20 without making a shot from the floor.

SERIES HISTORY

Little Rock is 1-3 against Auburn all-time, including last year’s 58-45 loss at the Jack Stephens Center. In that contest, the Trojans trailed by 16 at the half and 20 entering the final quarter. This will be the second meeting between the two teams at Neville Arena. Auburn won the first by a 70-48 score in November of 2022. Little Rock’s lone win over the Tigers came in 2021 – a 57-49 home victory. The first meeting between the schools took place at a neutral site in 2000.

AUBURN – FIRST LOOK

The Tigers are 2-0 this season, with both wins coming on their home floor. Auburn opened with a 65-31 win over Southern Illinois, and most recently posted a 128-36 victory over Virginia University-Lynchburg (NCAA D3) last Saturday. DeYona Gaston (25.0), Celia Sumbane (16.0) and Audia Young (14.5) lead the Tigers in scoring, Gaston (9.5), Sumbane (8.0) and Taylen Collins (7.5) are the top rebounders, and Jordan Hunter (6.0) leads the team in assists.