NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans grinded out a 60-54 victory over the Tennessee State Tigers in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at the Howard Gentry Complex.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 437, saw the Trojans overcome a sluggish offensive start and a persistent Tennessee State challenge to improve to .500 on the season at 10-10. The Tigers, led by a determined effort, fell to 3-17.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the third quarter. Arkansas-Little Rock entered the second half clinging to a narrow 22-28 deficit, having mustered only 22 points in the opening 20 minutes. The Tigers, seeking just their fourth win, appeared poised for an upset.

However, the Trojans emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose, unleashing a 21-point quarter that fundamentally shifted the game’s momentum. The period was a showcase for the team’s leading scorers, who broke through after a stifling first half. Jordan Holman, a 5-foot-10 guard from Hugo, Oklahoma, ignited the run with a steal and a subsequent layup. Alaina Payne, a 5-9 guard from Fort Worth, Texas, contributed key free throws and a crucial assist during the surge.

The defining sequence came midway through the quarter. With the Trojans building momentum, Brenna Burk of Russellville, Arkansas, drained a critical three-pointer off a Payne assist to extend the lead. On the ensuing possession, Payne swatted away a Tennessee State three-point attempt, leading to a Holman tip-in on the other end. This four-point swing encapsulated the Trojans’ improved energy on both ends, transforming a tight contest into a 43-36 lead by the end of the third. That 21-point quarter, contrasting sharply with Tennessee State’s 12, provided the cushion Arkansas-Little Rock would ultimately need.

Holman finished as the game’s leading scorer with 17 points, adding 9 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in 37 minutes of work. Payne was equally instrumental, tallying 15 points, 3 assists, a block and a steal over 36 minutes. Their second-half performances were the catalyst for the comeback.

Tennessee State was led by the guard tandem of XaiOnna Whitfield of Oxford, Alabama, and Somah Kamara of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Whitfield filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, while Kamara added 13 points. The Tigers’ interior defense was anchored by Erin Martin of Montgomery, Alabama, who rejected four shots.

Arkansas-Little Rock’s supporting cast provided essential contributions. Burk scored 10 points, including two important three-pointers, and Mya Cotto of Denver, Colorado, added 11 points, 2 assists and a block.

The Tigers struggled with consistency on offense, particularly in the paint where they missed a series of point-blank attempts and tip-ins, especially during a frantic final minute as they tried to close the gap. Arkansas-Little Rock’s defense tightened in key moments, forcing 18 Tennessee State turnovers.

The win completed a regular-season sweep for the Trojans, who defeated Tennessee State 76-39 in Little Rock on Jan. 3. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Arkansas-Little Rock entered the game with a 68.90 percent probability to win.

Arkansas-Little Rock looks to build on the win when they travel to face Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Tennessee State returns to action at home against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 5.