Little Rock Falls to Pepperdine in Lone Star Showcase

CEDAR PARK, Texas – Little Rock (3-2) could not overcome a poor shooting night from the floor in a 66-65 loss to Pepperdine (4-1) in its second game in the Lone Star Showcase at H-E-B Center.
 
Little Rock had three opportunities at the go-ahead basket in the final eight seconds. After Jalen Jackson's jumper was short, Maurius Hill's put-back spun in and out before going out of bounds off of Pepperdine.
 
With 1.7 seconds to play, head coach Wes Flanigan drew up a final play that got Kemy Osse an open 3 from the wing, but the senior's shot was off the mark.
 
The Trojans finished the game shooting 36.4 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from 3. The Waves shot 50.9 percent for the game, including 55.2 percent in the second half.
 
Lis Shoshi led Little Rock with a career-high matching 16 points – 14 in the second half – and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. Jackson scored 13 and Marcus Johnson Jr. chipped in 12.
 
Jeremy Major led Pepperdine with 16 points and Chris Reyes scored 14.
 
Little Rock outrebounded Pepperdine 44-33, including 18-8 on the offensive end. The Trojans led 23-11 in second-chance points.
 
The Trojans led at halftime despite shooting 34.5 percent over the first 20 minutes. The Waves shot 46.2 percent, but Little Rock made 12 of 15 free throws compared to 3 of 8 for Pepperdine. The first half saw three tie scores as Little Rock never trailed before halftime.
 
Little Rock will play its third and final game in the Lone Star Showcase against Central Michigan on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.