LITTLE ROCK - After three-straight home games, Little Rock makes a trip to Troy, Alabama, for the battle of Trojans Thursday. Opening tip from Trojan Arena is set for 6 p.m. with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
"We've played well on the road so far, but know this will be another tough challenge in a tough arena against a good team," said head coach
Darrell Walker. "When you sit at the top of the standings, you know you're going to get every team's best effort, and I'm sure (Troy) is excited to play on its home court."
GAME STORYLINES
• Little Rock and Troy meet for the 24th time Thursday with Little Rock holding a 14-9 lead in the all-time series. Little Rock swept the 2018-19 season series and is 7-4 all-time in Troy.
• Little Rock enters Thursday's game with a two game lead for sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt standings at 5-0, marking the first time the Trojans have sat atop the league standings since going 17-3 in the 2015-16 championship season.
• The Trojans have won six-straight games, its longest winning streak since a six game streak during the 2016-17 season. Little Rock is seeking to win seven games in a row for the first time since an 11-game run to open the 2015-16 season.
• Little Rock's five Sun Belt victories have come by a combined 17 points, beating ULM by one (73-72), Louisiana by three (69-66), Texas State by four (72-68), UT Arlington by three (92-89) and Georgia Southern by six (79-73).
• Little Rock's 11 victories on the year has already surpassed its 2018-19 season win total (10 games) while its five Sun Belt victories has already matched its total from last season.
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Ruot Monyyong has registered double-doubles in four-straight games and has eight on the year, leading the Sun Belt Conference and ranking 11th nationally. He is also the league's leading rebounder, averaging 9.9 per game.
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Kamani Johnson is shooting 78.1% from the free throw line this season and ranks in the top 25 in both attempts and made. He is 80.6% in Sun Belt play, improving his overall free throw percentage by nearly 30 points after averaging 50.8% as a freshman in 2018-19.
NEWS AND NOTES
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
2019-20: 6-10 overall, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference
Last Three Games: W at Texas State (71-63); L at Louisiana (79-62); L at ULM (79-63)
Head Coach: Scott Cross (UT Arlington, 1998). First season at Troy (6-10), 13th season overall (231-171)
Key Players:
• #3 Darian Adams (Jr., G): 13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 87.2 FT%
• #0 Ty Gordon (Jr. G): 11.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 39.2 3FG%
• #10 Zay Williams (So., F): 11.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 51.5 FG%
• #11 Desmond Williams (Fr., G): 8.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 45.0 FG%
• #14 Jakevan Leftridge (Fr., G): 6.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 52.6 FG%
LAST WE MET
A second half explosion from Little Rock turned a six point deficit into a 25-point advantage as the Trojans blew out Troy 84-70 at Trojan Arena on Feb. 7, 2019 to sweep the season series.
Rayjon Tucker led the way with 24 points while
Nikola Maric added 12 points as Little Rock shot 63.5% from the floor, outrebounding Troy 33-19 in a dominating road performance.
WE'RE GOING STREAKING
Little Rock won its sixth-straight game Saturday, marking the Trojans' longest winning streak since a six-game span during the 2016-17 season. Little Rock's five game Sun Belt winning streak is tied for the best start in league play in program history, matching the 5-0 start from the 2015-16 team.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Ruot Monyyong continues to make a strong case for Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, finishing with 19 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Georgia Southern. It was Monyyong's fourth-straight double-double and eighth of the season, ranking him first in the Sun Belt and 11th nationally. He leads the conference in rebounding (9.9 rpg) and is averaging 14.4 points and 11.8 rebounds in Sun Belt play, shooting 69.8% from the floor.
BREAK IT OUT, LOTTIE
Jaizec Lottie put together his best game of the season for Little Rock against the Eagles, setting season-highs in points (14), assists (6) and minutes (34). Lottie went 7-for-9 from the floor, tying his career-high for field goals in a game, and ranks second on the team with 42 assists in Sun Belt play, averaging 6.5 points.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Little Rock dished out a season-high 21 assists in the win over Georgia Southern Monday night, its most as a team since the 21 against Georgia State on March 2, 2019.
Jaizec Lottie and
Markquis Nowell each dished out six assists on the night as Nowell remains third in the Sun Belt, averaging 4.5 helpers per game.
CARDIAC TROJANS STRIKE AGAIN
Little Rock's win over Georgia Southern was another nail-biter as the Trojans have won their five Sun Belt Conference games by a combined total of 17 points. The Trojans held a 14-point first half lead and led for 36:46, but had to withstand a second half rally by the Eagles to eke out the victory.
ATOP THE SUN BELT
When Little Rock takes to the court against Troy Thursday evening, they will do so in sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference at 5-0 in league play. The Trojans hold a two game lead for first, marking the first time Little Rock has sat alone atop the league standings since winning the Sun Belt in the 2015-16 NCAA Tournament season.
WELCOME TO THE 300 CLUB
With his 11 points Monday night, Kamani Johnson became the fifth Trojan on the current roster to reach 300 career points. Markquis Nowell sits atop the leaderboard with 579 career points, followed by Jaizec Lottie's 488.Â
SECOND HALF SURGE
Little Rock has played its best basketball in the second half of games this season, outscoring the opposition 622-528 for a +94 point differential. The first half has been a challenge for the Trojans who have a -44 point differential, being outscored 549-505 in the opening 20 minutes of games.
WE'RE BACK
Little Rock's bench will get a little deeper moving forward as sophomore Nikola Maric and freshman Marko Lukic will officially rejoin the team beginning Thursday in Troy. The two sat out the beginning 50% of the 2019-20 season to satisfy an NCAA ruling regarding their eligibility.
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