GAME NOTES: The Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans will attempt to extend a winning streak on Thursday night when they visit the Missouri State Bears for a non- conference tussle at JQH Arena.

UALR topped in-state foe Central Arkansas, 85-71, in their most recent outing, pushing itself to a third straight win and a 4-1 record overall. Of course, all four wins have come at home, with the lone loss occurring in a 91-62 roasting at BYU. The Trojans will host their next two games against Tulsa and Kent State.

Missouri State has made the long trip home from the Great Alaska Shootout, where it went 1-2 last weekend. The most recent result was an 89-94 letdown in overtime against Washington State to close out the tournament. The Bears are an even 3-3 overall, including a 2-0 mark at home. However, they can't get comfortable quite yet, with their next three games taking place on the road.

Although it has had six previous chances, UALR has never defeated Missouri State. The Bears secured a 68-60 win on the road during the 2011 season in the most recent matchup.

James White scored 23 points to lead five players in double figures during UALR's 14-point win over Central Arkansas. The Trojans shot an impressive 54.5 percent from the field, although they were outscored, 33-12, from beyond the arc. However, large scoring margins in the paint (44-22) and off of turnovers (19-5) helped them swing the outcome in their favor.

The Trojans are averaging a robust 78.2 points per game this season, despite shooting a pedestrian 44.2 percent from the field. However, to really prove they can contend, they need to improve their defensive offerings, which has them yielding 76.4 points on 45.7 percent accuracy to opponents. White (15 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2 bpg) not only leads the team in scoring, he is the top rebounder and shot-blocker, doing so with just 25.8 minutes per game to work with. Roger Woods (13.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) is a solid scorer and rebounder as well.

Marcus Marshall knocked down a 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play, giving Missouri State a 74-71 lead over Washington State. However, the Bears could not hold the lead, as the Cougars got a 3-pointer to fall with 33 seconds left. The Bears had two chances in the final seconds, but both Dorrian Williams' layup attempt and Camyn Boone's tip-in try were unsuccessful. In the extra session, a 6-0 burst from the Cougars ended the Bears' chances. To its credit, Missouri State did shoot at a 49.2 percent clip in the contest, which included a 10-of-22 showing from beyond the arc.

Missouri State is not scoring at such a strong rate as the Trojans, averaging just under 70 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting. However, the Bears have normally been tough to score on, limiting foes to 39.4 percent accuracy. Marshall (24 ppg) has appeared in four of the team's six games, and has been vital to the offensive effort when he has been active. No other player on the roster is averaging in double figures, although Austin Ruder (9.7 ppg) and Williams (9.3 ppg) have shown the ability to do so.

If Marshall keeps scoring like he has been and the Bears can continue their defensive effectiveness, they could very well end up on top in this one.