NEW ORLEANS, La. – Little Rock's 2017-18 season came to a close in Louisiana as a hot start from Appalachian State did in the Trojans, who fell 93-64 in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament at Lakefront Arena. Little Rock ends the season at 7-25 overall and 4-14 in league play.
Little Rock fell victim to one of Appalachian State's top offensive performances of the year as the Mountaineers shot 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54) and 54.5 percent from three-point range (54.5 percent). That effort was contrasted by the Trojans' 39.3 percent shooting (24-of-61) as Little Rock made just four of its 18 attempts from beyond the arc (22.2 percent).
Jaizec Lottie closed his freshman season with a 13-point, six-rebound performance to lead Little Rock, going 5-of-8 from the floor and dishing out three assists. He was complemented by 12 points from
Wadly Mompremier in his final game as a Trojan.
Kris Bankston also put the cap on an impressive freshman season with nine points and three assists for the Trojans, including three thunderous dunks which has become synonymous with his play.
Anthony Black finished with seven points with
Camron Reedus adding six points and five rebounds.
Ben Marcus posted four points, six rebounds and three assists as well for Little Rock.
A fast start by Appalachian State put the Trojans in a hole early as the Mountaineers raced out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back. App State hit five of its first seven shots from beyond the three-point arc, building a 13-point lead at 25-12 near the midway point of the opening half.
Little Rock's defense clamped down over the next five minutes, holding Appalachian State to just one basket and stringing together a 10-3 run, pulling to within six at 28-22 with 5:09 to go. But that would be the last basket Little Rock scored in the opening 20 minutes as the Mountaineers closed out the half on an 18-3 run, taking a 46-25 lead into the intermission.
The Mountaineers shot 53.6 percent from the floor in the opening half, making 15-of-28, and were 7-of-12 from three-point range (58.3 percent). In contrast, the Trojans connected on just nine of their 25 shots (36.0 percent) and missed all seven three-point attempts, committing nine turnovers as well.
Appalachian State continued its run early into the second half, extending its lead on the Trojans to 26 at 56-30 with 16:12 remaining. Little Rock showed its fight, using a 12-4 run over the next 2:55 to pull to within 18 at 60-42.
The Trojans had their opportunities down the stretch, but struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Little Rock was held without a point for over three minutes as Appalachian State stretched its lead to 27 at 74-47 with 8:58 remaining and put the game away, leading by as many as 30 before coasting to the 93-64 victory.
With the loss, Little Rock ends its season at 7-25, surpassing the 1999-00 team for the most losses in a season. The Trojans fell in all three games against Appalachian State this season but still hold a 6-5 edge in the all-time series record.
Little Rock's all-time record in the Sun Belt Conference tournament falls to 22-25, suffering a defeat in its opening game for the 12th time and second time in the last two seasons.
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