It wasn't the final result Coach Joe Foley wanted, but his team's 66-54 loss to Rice on Saturday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center wasn't an all-or-nothing proposition.
Foley, entering his 18th season with the Trojans, saw enough positives to believe the University of Arkansas at Little Rock women can and will improve upon last season's 12-19 record.
"That was a good challenge," Foley said after the season-opening loss to a Rice team that beat UALR by 24 points last season. "We know we had opportunities today. I think we're much better than what we were."
Eliminate the first and fourth quarters -- when UALR (0-1) was outscored 29-15 while missing 27 of 32 shots -- and the Trojans were neck and neck with the Owls -- except for 6-9 senior center Nancy Mulkey, who stood a head above the tallest Trojans.