EDWARDSVILE, Ill. – With two players fouled out in the second half and another injured, Little Rock fought until late in a 73-65 loss to SIUE Saturday with second place in the Ohio Valley Conference at stake. The atmosphere was particularly hostile inside Community First Arena with well over 2,000 fans in attendance to observe senior day.
That didn't stop the Trojans, who only briefly led in the first half and trailed 38-24 at halftime. The Cougars were cruising, up 55-44 with 10:19 to play in the game, but a Trojan 7-2 run cut the lead to 57-51 when reserve big man
Caleb Pennyfeather scored on a layup with 6:59 left.
Pennyfeather scored moments later on an alley-oop, and it was 57-53 left with 6:30 to play.
The Cougars' lead was pushed back to seven, but the Trojans didn't quit as Pennyfeather again scored in the paint to cut the margin to three, 62-59, at the 3:47 mark.
However, a 7-0 run fueled by the capacity crowd rescued the Cougars, and they led by 11 with 1:34 left.
The Trojans played a good portion of the second half without starters Tuong Gatkek and
Mwani Wilkinson, who fouled out, and starter
Ante Beljan also saw limited time in the second half with an injury.
Jefferson led the Trojans with 21 points.
Isaiah Lewis added 15.
With the loss, the Trojans dropped from a second-place tie with the Cougars in the OVC standings to fourth behind Tennessee State, who swept Little Rock in the regular season.
That means instead of having a double bye in next week's OVC Tournament, the Trojans must play in the quarterfinal game at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. Little Rock plays the winner of No. 5 Tennessee Tech and No. 8 seed UT Martin. The Trojans swept both teams during the regular season.
If Little Rock gets out of the quarterfinal round, No .1 Southeast Missouri awaits in the semifinals Friday night.
