LEFT NO DOUBT: Trojans Dominate SIUE to Seal Undisputed Regular Season Crown

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Little Rock left no doubt. With national television attention turned towards Little Rock's Team, the nation's fourth-best scoring defense did not disappoint, holding host SIUE to just four points in the final quarter as the Trojans pulled away in a dominating 61-38 win.
 
The Trojans (19-9, 16-1 Ohio Valley) clinched the outright title by increasingly denying SIUE (8-20, 7-10) scoring opportunities and taking advantage of miscues. Little Rock scored 26 points off 19 Cougar turnovers and held SIUE – a team that normally shoots 30% from long range – to a 0-for-14 night from beyond the arc.
 
With Little Rock entering the fourth quarter carrying a 13-point lead, the Trojans pushed their foot down on the gas even more. SIUE became the fifth victim this season to be held to four points in a quarter against the Trojans and the fifth team to be held under 40 points in a game, getting out-scored 14-4 in the final frame.
 
It was a tough pill to swallow for a Cougar team that was averaging 71 points per game since league play began. SIUE managed only one point off 10 Little Rock turnovers and did not block a shot. The Cougars never led.
 
While SIUE was struggling to score, shots were falling across the board for Little Rock. Sali Kourouma led all players with 21 points, falling just shy of a double-double as she grabbed nine rebounds. The nation's third-best player according to player defensive ratings, Kourouma tied a career-high five steals.
 
But the biggest threat to SIUE's chances of clamoring back into the game came from Jayla Brooks. The junior guard scored a career-high 18 points courtesy of 6-for-11 shooting registering five rebounds, six assists and four steals.
 
Jaiyah Harris-Smith continues to be the fly in the ointment for the Ohio Valley Conference. The sophomore guard tallied eight rebounds and eight assists while only committing one turnover in a full 40 minutes on the court. Tia Harvey scored 16 points with three rebounds and two steals.
 
SIUE was led by Ajulu Thatha's 14 points and 10 rebounds but she also committed three turnovers.
 
While Little Rock clinched the undisputed regular season title with one game left to play in the regular season, SIUE heads into the final day tied with Tennessee State for sixth place.
 
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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