LR Pulls Away from Louisiana, Improves to 13-1

LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock (13-1, 3-0 SBC) used another stellar defensive effort to pull away from Louisiana (5-7, 1-2 SBC) for a 77-57 win at the Jack Stephens Center on Thursday night. The Ragin' Cajuns were held to a season-low 57 points on 32.2 percent shooting from the floor.
 
The Cajuns, the preseason pick to win the Sun Belt Conference, made connected on 9 of 34 shots after halftime, just 2 of their final 20 shots to close the game.
 
"If you're going to compete for a championship you have to find a way to win your home games," head coach Chris Beard said after the game. "I'm really pleased with tonight's win because of how much respect we have for Louisiana's program … But it was a good night for Little Rock basketball. We had balanced scoring with four players in double figures, a low turnover game, made most of our free throws and got contributions from lots of different players."
 
Little Rock led 49-45 with 12:13 to go and used a 13-2 run to build a 62-47 advantage with 6:51 to play. The Trojans' lead grew as large as 22 after Deondre Burns' steal and finish put Little Rock up 77-55 with under a minute to play.
 
Little Rock finished the game shooting 40.0 percent while putting four players in double figures. Roger Woods led the way with 16 points and six rebounds while Lis Shoshi and Marcus Johnson Jr. both added 12 points. Josh Hagins scored 11 points while totaling seven rebounds and six assists.
 
Little Rock made 15 of 18 free throws on the night while the Trojans' bench outscored UL's reserves 47-11.
 
The Trojans finished the game with 16 assists on 28 made field goals and turned the ball over just six times – the seventh time this season Little Rock has finished a game with fewer than 10 turnovers.
 
Shawn Long led Louisiana with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jay Wright added 10 points to give UL two players in double figures.
 
Louisiana used a couple made 3-pointers to grab a quick 6-0 lead to start the game. The Trojans slowly worked their way back into the game, eventually taking a 13-12 lead on two free throws by Mareik Isom with 10:57 remaining in the half.
 
Tied at 25-all, consecutive baskets by Woods put Little Rock up five with 1:38 to go. Little Rock went up seven on Stetson Billings' basket with 27 seconds left in the half. Wright hit aa 3-pointer for UL to bring the margin to 34-30 entering halftime.
 
Little Rock returns to action on Saturday when it hosts ULM at the Jack Stephens Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.