Reed scores 34, Butler adds 17 as the UALR women hold off ULM

Chastity Reed scored a season-
high 34 points on Wednesday.
   The UALR women struggled to get going but still held off Louisiana-Monroe in a 67-61 victory on Wednesday at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
   Chastity Reed scored a season-high 34 points to lead UALR in Coach Joe Foley’s 596th career victory.    Many of those victories have been much easier than this one turned out to be.
   Shanika Butler made 9 of 10 free throws in the final minute as UALR held on for its seventh-consecutive victory. It is also UALR’s 18th-consecutive home victory, 13th consecutive January victory and 21st-consecutive Sun Belt Conference victory.
   Butler was 12 of 15 at the free throw line to finish with 17 points.
   Other than Reed and Butler, it was a struggle. UALR (10-5, 4-0) shot 39.7 percent from the field and made only 3 of 14 three-pointers. But the Trojans did lock down defensively, forcing 32 Louisiana-Monroe turnovers.
   Reed made 15 of 32 field goal and both of her three-point attempts. But she made only 2 of 6 free throws and had six turnovers.
   Louisiana-Monroe got to within 63-61 with 15 seconds left on a layup by Kassie Courtney. After a timeout, the Lady Warhawks fouled Butler with 12 seconds left. Butler sank both free throws for a 65-61 lead.
   Louisiana-Monroe’s Elizabeth Torres then turned the ball over and Louisiana-Monroe fouled Butler again. She made both free throws for the 67-61 final.