A 20-point first-half deficit was too much for the Troy University women's basketball team to overcome as it fell 71-46 to Arkansas-Little Rock in Sun Belt play on Thursday.

Alecia Jones was the only player for Troy in double figures with 17 points, while she also added a team-best eight rebounds. UALR's Heather Morris led all scorers with 22 points, while Jocelyn Love added 18 points. Renee Renz posted her eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The loss was the worst for Troy at home since falling 86-44 against Auburn on December 20, 2001, and Troy's 46 points were its lowest point total at home this season.

Arkansas-Little Rock turned five Troy turnovers into ten points through the first ten minutes of play, building a 23-7 lead halfway though the first period.

Troy was unable to gain any ground, and UALR led by as many as 20 points before taking a 40-22 lead into the break.

Troy shot just 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from the floor, compared to a 46.4 percent (13-of-28) effort from UALR in the first half. UALR's Heather Morris led all scorers with 17 first-half points, nine coming from behind the arc.

UALR scored the first 12 points of the second half, building a 52-22 lead with 17 minutes to play.

Audrey Muse ended Troy's scoring drought with a layup with 16:46 to play, starting a 10-0 Troy run that cut its deficit to 52-32 with 12 minutes to play.

That was as close as Troy would get, however, as UALR cruised to the win.

Troy shot 31.8 percent (21-of-66) from the floor, including 8.3 percent (1-of-12) from three-point range. It was just three of nine (33.3 percent) from the free-throw line.

UALR shot 44.2 percent (23-of-52) overall, but more importantly made nine of 15 (60 percent) from three-point range.

&uot;This is a disappointing loss,&uot; Troy head coach Michael Murphy said. &uot;We just have to regroup and get ready for the game on Saturday.&uot;

Troy returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Arkansas State at 5:15 p.m. in the first game of a doubleheader. The Troy men host Arkansas-Little Rock immediately following.