Little Rock cruises past CBC, giving Wiedower a win in his head coaching debut

Steve Wiedower started his collegiate head coaching career with a resounding bang, with Little Rock steamrolling Central Baptist (NAIA) for an 88-43 victory Wednesday night at the Jack Stephens Center. Four players scored in double figures for the Trojans, who posted their highest single-game scoring total since Feb. 14, 2022, a span of 68 games.

Faith Lee led all scorers with 20 points, freshman Brenna Burk pumped in 14 off the bench, Ashley Lester added 12 in a reserve role, and Jordan Holman pitched in 10 to go with six rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Brenna grabbed six rebounds, Lee swiped four steals, and Sug Williams totaled eight points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
 
After redshirting last season, freshman Emerald Parker tossed in nine points while starting in place of injured senior Mesi Triplett. Little Rock (1-0) attempted 79 shots in Wiedower's offense, which runs at a higher gear than those directed by legendary coach Joe Foley, who passed the torch to his longtime assistant in July. In fact, the Trojans' shot total is the second-most in program history for a single game (84 in 1987).
 

 
Little Rock cruised to a 16-point lead in the first period on the strength of a 15-0 run that gave the Trojans a 17-2 advantage. The Trojans never trailed in the game, expanding their lead to 41-15 at intermission. Lee had 14 points at the break and Burk added 11. It was 61-28 after three periods and Little Rock put up 27 more in the final frame. Central Baptist was held to just 21.6 percent shooting (11-of-51) and leading scorer Raigan Head was held scoreless (0-for-5) after entering the game averaging 23 points in the Mustangs' first three contests.
 
The Trojans pounded the boards for a 48-39 rebounding advantage, forced 31 turnovers which led to 37 points, and outscored the Mustangs 52-8 in the paint. Little Rock's bench almost outscored Central Baptist's entire roster, totaling 39 points.
 
The Trojans are back in action Monday, welcoming the Arkansas Razorbacks to town for a 7 pm tipoff. Then, the Trojans hit the road for three straight games against Power 5 opponents – Auburn, Kansas State, and Missouri – over a span of nine days.