Little Rock Wins 58-50, Trojans In Sole Possession of First Place

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Sali Kourouma posted a double-double and Little Rock used a fourth quarter surge to not only record a 58-50 win over Southern Indiana but also claim the 850^th career win for Trojans head coach Joe Foley Thursday evening at the Jack Stephens Center.
 
But the reasons for celebration did not stop there. As Little Rock (17-9, 14-1 Ohio Valley) was silencing an upset bid by the Screaming Eagles (11-15, 5-10), other teams around the OVC were not as lucky and the Trojans ended the day in sole possession of first place in the OVC standings.
 
Taking a slim two-point advantage into the final quarter, Little Rock held USI to 15.4% shooting (2-for-13), forced five turnovers and out-scored the Eagles 12-6 in the final frame to seal the win to create separation in the standings.
 
Kourouma led all players with 18 points and 12 rebounds to notch her second double-double of the season while shooting over 42% from the field. She added two steals and two blocks to her tally. Tia Harvey added 15 points while Faith Lee scored 11 for the Maroon and Silver.
 
Little Rock scored 25 points off 21 Eagle turnovers and held USI, a team that normally shoots over 30% from 3-point range, to just 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. The fourth quarter marked the 29^th time this season the Trojans have limited their opponent to single digit scoring in a quarter.
 
Despite Little Rock's disruptive defense, Southern Indiana hung around. The Trojans took a two-point lead into halftime and USI matched Little Rock point for point in the third quarter. USI shot nearly 38% in the game, including shooting 50% or better over the second and third quarters.
 
It wasn't until the final frame when the Trojans took over, opening the period on a 7-0 run and extending their lead to as much as 11. USI would cut that mark into single digits but could not overcome the deficit.
 
Little Rock, winners of nine straight games and 15 of their last 17, will wrap up its home season Saturday as it hosts Eastern Illinois (20-5, 13-2). The Trojans can clinch a share of the OVC regular season championship – something no team has done in their first year in the league – with a win over the Panthers. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Basketball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWBB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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