STATESBORO, Ga. – Little Rock (24-3, 14-2) led for all but 2:37 in a 75-61 win at Georgia Southern (12-14, 8-8 SBC) on Saturday that established a new program record for regular-season victories. The win was the Trojans' 12
th true road victory of the season, which also sets a new program record and is tied for the most nationally in 2015-16.
"I thought we had some contributions from a lot of people tonight," Beard said after the win. "Three guys in double figures, two more with nine points, that's the kind of contributions we want."
At 24-3, the Trojans are tied for the best record in the nation with four regular-season games remaining.
Combined with Louisiana's loss at Texas State, tonight's win secures no worse than the No. 2 seed for the Trojans at the Sun Belt Conference Championship in New Orleans.
Little Rock finished the game shooting 51.0 percent from the floor and made 10 of 24 shots from 3-point range. The Trojans led 39-27 on the glass while limiting Georgia Southern to 34.7 percent shooting from the floor and 4 of 19 from 3.
Josh Hagins scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four made 3-pointers to move into sole possession of fifth place on Little Rock's career scoring list.
Roger Woods and
Jalen Jackson scored 12 points each to give the team three players in double figures.
Maurius Hill and
Mareik Isom contributed nine points apiece.
Little Rock scored 16 of the first 20 start the second half, turning a 10-point halftime lead into a 22-point advantage with 14 minutes remaining.
The Trojans scored the first nine points of the half, using two baskets by Hagins along with buckets from Jackson and Hill. Two more baskets by Jackson surrounded Georgia Southern's first field goal of the half as Little Rock went up 55-33 with 14:21 to play.
Little Rock's lead grew as large as 23 on three occasions, and Georgia Southern would not get closer than 14 until the final minute.
Saturday's win gives Little Rock the regular-season sweep of Georgia Southern.
The Trojans fell into a 5-0 hole to start the game before hitting their next four shots as part of a 10-0 run.
Little Rock shot 53.8 percent in the first half while connecting on 7 of 11 3-point attempts. The Trojans' finished the half with a +7 margin on the glass and led 12-2 in bench scoring.
Little Rock returns to action with the first of three straight home games with UT Arlington at the Jack Stephens Center on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7:15 p.m.
