LITTLE ROCK - Little Rock embarks on a tough three-game OVC road swing, beginning Thursday at Morehead State. Opening tip against the Eagles is set for 6 p.m. CT at Johnson Arena and will stream live on ESPN+. Trojan Hall of Famer Ray Tucker will handle the radio call on 106.7 FM The Buz2, beginning at approximately 5:45 p.m. CT.
GAME STORYLINES
• Little Rock and Morehead State meet for the first time as Little Rock is getting set to play its 29th game in the state of Kentucky. 23 of those meetings came in Bowling Green against former Sun Belt rival Western Kentucky with the last four played in the season-opening Louisville bubble event in 2020.
• Morehead State will be the sixth of seven opponent the Trojans will face for the first time in 2022-23, joining Miami (Ohio), San Francisco, Lindenwood, Southern Indiana and Tennessee Tech. The Trojans' final first-time opponent will be SIU Edwardsville.
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CJ White registered a career-high 21 points in the win over Tennessee State Saturday, also leading the team with seven rebounds and six assists. Over the last four games, White is averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
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Myron Gardner enters Thursday's game among the top-35 nationally in four statistical categories. Gardner is tied for ninth in the nation with an OVC-best 10 double-doubles and is among the national leaders in rebounding.
• Five different Trojans reached double figures against Tennessee State Saturday, tied for the most in a single game this season. 10 different Trojans have combined for 73 double figure games this year, led by 17 from
Myron Gardner and 14 for
DeAntoni Gordon.
• After attempting a combined 47 free throws in its previous four games, Little Rock shot 37 in the win over Tennessee State. The Trojans are shooting 77.4% over its last five from the line, compared to 57.8% for its opponents, with
Isaiah Palermo enter the weekend having made 16-straight.
NEWS AND NOTES
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
2022-23: 12-9 overall, 5-3 Ohio Valley Conference
Last Three Games: W at Lindenwood (72-63), W at SIU Edwardsville (67-58), L vs. Southeast Missouri (91-86)
Head Coach: Preston Spradlin (Alice Lloyd College, 2009). Fifth season at MSU and overall (81-86)
Key Players:
• #0 Mark Freeman (Sr., G): 14.7 ppg, 3.6 apg, 40.7 3FG%
• #45 Alex Gross (Gr., F): 12.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 57.8 FG%
• #3 Drew Thelwell (So., G): 10.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.1 FG%
• #24 Jake Wolfe (R-Sr., G): 9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 40.9 FG%
• #15 Kalil Thomas (Jr., G): 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 36.4 FG%
SERIES HISTORY
Little Rock and Morehead State meet for the first time as Thursday marks Little Rock's 29th game all-time within the state borders of Kentucky, 23 of which have come in Bowling Green against former Sun Belt foe Western Kentucky. Little Rock has also played against Kentucky in Louisville and opened the 2020-21 season with four games in the Louisville Bubble event with its last win in the state the 76-66 win over Duquesne at the KFC Yum! Center on November 30, 2020.
LAST TIME OUT
Five Trojans finished in double figures as Little Rock built a 21-point second half and held off a late Tennessee State rally, handing the Tigers an 89-77 defeat at the Jack Stephens Center. Little Rock was led once again by
CJ White who scored a career-high 21 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists and was complemented by the other half of the 501 duo in DJ Smith, who added 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
MR. DO IT ALL
Myron Gardner continues to pace Little Rock this season, leading the Ohio Valley Conference with 10th double-doubles on the season. Gardner enters Thursday's game leading Little Rock in scoring (13.3 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), steals (1.6 spg) and minutes (30.9 mpg), leading the team in three point (39.7%) and third in free throw percentage (76.0%). Gardner enters Saturday's game ranked among the top-35 nationally in four statistical categories, tied for ninth in double-doubles (10) and 18th in defensive rebounds per game (6.95).
CJ COMING UP BIG
CJ White once again came up big for Little Rock Saturday, setting a career-high with 21 points while also leading the Trojans in rebounds (seven) and assists (six) in the win over Tennessee State. White has been a key component for Little Rock over the last four games, leading the team in rebounds (8.8 rpg), assists (4.8 apg) and minutes (33.2 mpg) while ranking second in points (12.0 ppg) during that span.
501 SHOWING OUT
Along with
CJ White, the other half of the 501 connection in
D.J. Smith has been a key factor for the Trojans. Smith finished with 20 points against Tennessee State, his third 20-point performance of the year, and was solid from the free throw line, hitting nine of his 10 attempts. Over the last four games, Smith is averaging 9.8 points and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 46.2% from the floor and 91.7% from the line (11-of-12).
PROVIDING CONSISTENCY
DeAntoni Gordon remains a consistent presence in his second season in Little Rock, ranking second on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg), sitting third in both field goal percentage (49.0%) and qualifying free throw percentage (75.9%). Gordon has reached double figures in 14 games this season, second-most on the team, with three double-doubles.
DOUBLE FIGURE TROJANS
10 different Trojans have combined for 73 double figure games this season with five different players reaching the mark against Tennessee State, tied for the most in a game this season.
Myron Gardner leads all Trojans with 17 games in double figures this year and 26 for his career, scoring 10 or more points in 72.2% of his games as a Trojan (26-of-36).
DeAntoni Gordon ranks second at 65.6%, reaching the mark in 19 of his 29 games.
EFFICIENT FROM THE LINE
Little Rock has taken advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line in recent games, shooting 77.4% from the line over ts last five games while its opponents are sitting at 57.8%. After attempting just 47 free throws over a three-game span (making 37 for 78.7%), Little Rock made 28-of-37 against Tennessee State to help seal the game. Three Trojans are shooting over 90% during that span, including
Isaiah Palermo's 94.1% (16-of-17), making 16-straight heading into Thursday.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Little Rock will have a challenging stretch as it looks to qualify for the OVC Tournament in Evansville, Indiana, playing the next three away from the Jack Stephens Center. The road hasn't been kind to the Trojans this year as Little Rock is 0-12 in true road games, extending its winless streak to 14-straight. Little Rock's last true road win was the 66-62 victory at Troy on February 12, 2022.
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