Trojans Pick up Season-Opening Win With Big Second Half

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock men's basketball team outscored Arkansas Baptist 55–21 in the second half to take a 92–63 win over the Buffaloes in the season opener Tuesday night at the Jack Stephens Center.

Little Rock trailed 42–37 at halftime but took the lead for good with just over 15 minutes to play on a three-pointer from Johnathan Lawson. The Trojans led 47–44, then embarked on a 20–3 run. Braxton Bayless knocked down a three-pointer at the 11-minute mark to give Little Rock a 67–47 advantage.

The Trojans cruised from there as head coach Darrell Walker emptied his bench and played everyone on the roster.

"We defended better in the second half and played much better," Walker said. "We converted some easy baskets and started rolling."

Little Rock forced 20 Arkansas Baptist turnovers and scored 29 points off them. The Trojans shot 63.9 percent from the field in the second half, including 57.1 percent from three-point range. They also dominated the paint, outscoring the Buffaloes 52–22 inside.

"We knew we needed to pick it up in the second half, and we did," said Lawson, who poured in 17 points. "We played better defensively and shot the ball better. We had some good looks and took advantage of them."

The senior from Memphis, Tenn., also totaled five assists, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Graduate student Tuongthach Gatkek matched Lawson with 17 points, adding five rebounds and two blocks.

Transfer Cam Wallace also contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.

Little Rock now prepares for an eight-game road stretch that begins Monday night in Milwaukee against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The first leg features seven games in two weeks away from home.

"I'm looking forward to being on the road," Walker said. "We're going to have to play better because the competition will be tougher. If we can play like we did in the second half for a full game, we'll have a chance to compete with those teams."

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