Box Score EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Little Rock fell behind early to Southeast Missouri Friday night and couldn't dig out. The Trojans lost to the Redhawks, 78-59, at the Ford Center in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
The Trojans finish the season 19-14. It was a roller-coaster year that began with losing starting point guard
KK Robinson for the season with a knee injury. In January, forward
Travonne Jackson was also lost for the year with a knee injury. Senior guard
Jordan Jefferson and sophomore forward
Creed Williamson missed a combined 23 games with injuries. Still, head coach
Darrell Walker and Co. managed qualify for the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
"I thought this group was really good and coachable because I am not the easiest guy in the world to play for, but these guys accepted coaching and tried to do what I asked them to do," Walker said. "We were very limited with what we had [due to injuries] offensively at times, but to sit here and win 19 games and have back-to-back winning seasons – I am holding my head up high. There is nothing to be sad about. I am holding my head high. Hopefully, this is something we can build on. Me and my staff are getting ready to reload and be sitting right back here again.
Friday night, buckets were hard to come by as Little Rock trailed 40-29 at halftime. The Trojans led 17-16 at the 10:33 mark when Williamson hit back-to-back shots in the lane. That was the final lead the Trojans enjoyed as SEMO moved their advantage to double digits in the ensuing five minutes. SEMO led by 16 with 3:41 to play in the half, but Little Rock mounted a charge before halftime.
Ante Beljan's free throw capped a 7-0 run and cut the lead to 38-29 with 18 seconds to play, but SEMO added a bucket right before the half to push the lead back to double digits.
The Trojans were unable to cut into the lead early in the second half but did get back into the game later in the half.
Mwani Wilkinson capped off an 9-2 run with a short jumper, and the Trojans only trailed 46-38 with 14:13 remaining in the game.
Less than a minute later, the Redhawks were back up by 10 and Little Rock couldn't get the lead back to that margin.
"I'm disappointed for these guys because I've been to the NCAA Tournament as a player and a coach," Walker said. "I really wanted it for these guys, but we didn't get it done this year. All I can do is reload. I am already reloading, so we will be back here next year."
Williamson scored a career-high 20 points converting on 6-of-8 field goals.
Johnathan Lawson added 11 points and Wilkinson 10.
Jefferson ended a stellar four-year career with seven points after fouling out early in the second half.
"I was proud to coach him for four years," Walker said. "Players like him won't come around much anymore. Guys aren't going to stay in one spot for four years."
