LITTLE ROCK – Behind a career-high 30 points from
Isaiah Palermo and the first career double-double from
CJ White, Little Rock rolled past Champion Christian 115-51 at the Jack Stephens Center Friday evening to improve to 2-0 on the year.
The 115 points sets a new Jack Stephens Center scoring record for the Trojans, besting the 108 points scored against St. Gregory's on November 17, 2010. The 64-point margin of victory is also a new arena record, surpassing the 61-point win over St. Gregory's, and ties the program's largest margin of victory at the Division I level, equaling the 100-36 win over Southwest Assemblies of God on November 25, 2000.
Palermo's 30 points came on 12-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three point range and 4-for-4 at the free throw line, besting his previous-best of 17 points. He scored 21 in the first half, adding five rebounds and four steals on the night, playing just 17 minutes off the bench.
Palermo was one of five Trojans to finish in double figures, followed by a 16-point performance from
Jovan Stulic who was 6-of-9 from the floor and 2-for-3 from three-point range. He was complemented by a 13-point effort off the bench from
Marko Lukic, matching his 6-for-9 shooting night.
White finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, coming on strong in the second half. He scored all 11 of his points and grabbed nine of his rebounds in the final 20 minutes to help the Trojans extend their lead.
Admir Besovic also set a new career high, adding 11 points with five rebounds in 31 minutes on the night.
All 11 Trojans that played on the night scored at least three points as Little Rock shot 56.3% from the floor (49-of-87), going 8-of-18 (42.1%) from three-point range and 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the free throw line.
D.J. Smith scored seven points with a game-high eight assists while
DeAntoni Gordon,
Nikola Maric,
Kevin Osawe and
Marko Andric all finished with six points.
The Trojans held a commanding 51-26 rebounding edge, including a 17-5 advantage on the offensive glass, and forced 31 Tiger turnovers, another Jack Stephens Center record. Those 31 giveaways resulted in 43 Little Rock points as the Trojans committed just 12 turnovers, giving Champion Christian eight points off those miscues.
The outcome was never in doubt as Little Rock reeled off the first nine points of the game before Champion Christian pulled to within six at 13-7. But that was as close as the Tigers would get as Little Rock went on a 20-2 run to build a 33-9 advantage at the 9:13 mark, highlighted by a 16-0 stretch over a four minute span.
Palermo began to feel it over the final 11 minutes as he scored 21 of Little Rock's final 37 points of the opening half, including a three pointer as the first half clock expired to give the Trojans the 63-29 halftime advantage, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor.
Little Rock continued to extend its lead in the second half, using another 20-2 run to take a 69-36 lead and push it to 89-38 with 12:22 remaining. Leading 94-45 with 9:09 remaining, the Trojans ended the game on a 21-6 run, giving Little Rock the record-setting victory at home.
The Trojans held Champion Christian to 35.8% from the floor and 22.2% from three point range, improving to 2-0 all-time against the Tigers. Little Rock improves to 12-4 on its home floor against non-conference opponents under head coach
Darrell Walker, winning nine of its last 10 against out-of-conference foes.
Little Rock closes out its season-opening three-game home stand Sunday, facing Arkansas Baptist. Opening tip against the Buffaloes is set for 2 p.m. from the Jack.
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