LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle to open the new year, the Arkansas-Little Rock women’s basketball team used a decisive third-quarter surge to overcome a halftime deficit and defeat Tennessee Tech 51-44 on Thursday afternoon at Jack Stephens Center.

The Golden Eagles, who entered the game with a 10-1 record and an 80% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, saw their offense vanish after the break, managing only five points in the pivotal third period. That drought allowed the Trojans to seize control of a game that was defined by physicality and missed shots.

Tennessee Tech started strong, leveraging its defensive pressure to build a 27-24 lead by halftime. Reagan Hurst, the Golden Eagles’ leading scorer with 16 points, was active early, and Chloe Larry connected from deep to help establish the advantage. Arkansas-Little Rock stayed close through the first half largely due to the interior work of Destinee Salgado, who finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The complexion of the game changed entirely in the third quarter. The Trojans, now 6-7, tightened their defense, forcing a series of rushed Tennessee Tech possessions and contested misses. At the other end, Jordan Holman took over. The 5-foot-10 guard from Hugo, Oklahoma, scored six of her game-high 20 points in the quarter, part of a complete stat line that included 11 rebounds. Her driving layup at the 6:35 mark gave Arkansas-Little Rock a lead it would not relinquish, sparking a 14-5 quarter that put the Trojans ahead 38-32.

Tennessee Tech’s offensive woes were stark. After shooting reasonably well in the first half, the Golden Eagles went cold, missing 10 of their 11 field goal attempts in the third. Their only points came from a Hurst jumper and a pair of LaReesha Cawthorn free throws. The Trojans, meanwhile, found a rhythm with Holman and Mya Cotto, who contributed eight points and key playmaking.

The fourth quarter saw Tennessee Tech attempt multiple rallies, but each was answered. A Cam Mathews three-pointer with 5:39 to play cut the deficit to 42-40, injecting life into the visiting squad. Holman responded immediately with a layup on the ensuing possession. Minutes later, after a Hurst jumper made it 44-42, Holman calmly sank two free throws to push the lead back to four.

The Golden Eagles had chances in the final minutes but were undone by turnovers and an inability to secure critical rebounds. A crucial sequence saw the Trojans grab two offensive boards on a single possession before Salgado finally converted inside to make it 46-42 with 1:59 remaining. Tennessee Tech turned the ball over on its next two trips, and Salgado scored again in the paint to effectively seal the game at 48-42 with just 37 seconds left.

Hurst led Tennessee Tech with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Larry added nine points, while Mathews contributed seven points and five rebounds. The Golden Eagles’ record fell to 10-2.

For Arkansas-Little Rock, Holman’s 20-point, 11-rebound performance was the cornerstone. Salgado’s double-double provided a vital secondary option, and Alaina Payne facilitated the offense with three assists while grabbing eight rebounds. Cotto’s eight points and two assists off the bench were instrumental in the second-half turnaround.

The game was the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams. Tennessee Tech looks to rebound on the road at Eastern Illinois on Jan. 8. Arkansas-Little Rock continues its homestand, hosting Tennessee State on Saturday.