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Little Rock withstands late rally for 68-63 win over Appalachian State

The Trojans refused to miss from the charity stripe in the second half, but particularly in the final quarter where the Trojans were 13-for-13 from the line.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Teal Battle scored a career-high 25 points, Kyra Collier posted a double-double and Little Rock was perfect from the free throw line in the fourth quarter in a 68-63 win over Appalachian State Saturday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center.

Little Rock (8-11, 6-2 Sun Belt) would thwart any comeback effort out of Appalachian State (4-14, 1-6) by refusing to miss from the charity stripe in the second half, but particularly in the final quarter where the Trojans were 13-for-13 from the line.

Battle, who finished the game just one rebound shy of a second consecutive double-double, was 10 of 13 from the field on her way to 25 points. She continuously worked the paint, drawing eight fouls and hitting 5 of 8 free throws in the game.

Collier tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds in her double-double effort, the second of the season for the Trojan senior. She would take the majority of the free throws in the final quarter and, along with Sydney Chastain and Battle, did not miss from the line to keep the Mountaineers at bay.

The game held wild swings both ways in the third quarter as Appalachian State came out of halftime swinging, going on an early 6-point run before Little Rock rebounded with a 12-0 run of their own, holding App State scoreless for over four minutes. The Trojans used 64.3 percent shooting in that third period to create separation that App State could not overcome.

But it was not for lack of trying. The Mountaineers refused to go away in the final quarter and never let Little Rock extend its lead beyond seven points in the final few minutes of the game. With a chance to pull the game within one possession with a minute to go, Kyra Collier would grab her fourth steal of the game and quickly find Krystan Vornes to take what could have been a three-point difference to a seven-point lead.

Appalachian would then turn to the foul game to try to stymie the Trojans, only to be rebuffed at the line.

Little Rock finished the game shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the charity stripe while Appalachian was limited to just 38.6 percent shooting, using six treys to attempt to keep it close.

The victory marked career win No. 797 for legendary coach Joe Foley.

The Mountaineers were led by Ashley Polacek's 21 points while Lainey Gosnell (19 points) and Pre Stanley (10) both reached double figures.

Little Rock now embarks on a three-game road swing that starts with a visit to Louisiana next Saturday, Feb. 1. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Cajundome.

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