LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock put the game away in the final minutes Thursday night, using a late dunk and a three-pointer from
Kachi Nzeh to seal a 74–63 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Eastern Illinois at the Jack Stephens Center.
After the Panthers cut the margin to single digits late, Nzeh knocked down a three and followed with a dunk in the final minute as the Trojans closed the game on a decisive run. The late push capped a dominant second half in which Little Rock outscored Eastern Illinois 44–26 after trailing by seven at the break.
The Trojans (8-10, 5-2 OVC) relied on relentless defensive pressure to fuel the comeback, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 31 points. Little Rock finished with eight steals and five blocks, limiting the Panthers (7-11, 4-4 OVC) to just 26 points over the final 20 minutes.
"We got back in the game by trapping in the second half," Little Rock head coach
Darrell Walker said. "Our defensive pressure created high-percentage shots and helped us grab the momentum."
Little Rock seized momentum early in the second half when
Tuongthach Gatkek finished a fast-break layup off a
Johnathan Lawson assist just 47 seconds in. Lawson later buried a three-pointer at the 15:09 mark to give the Trojans the lead for good, as the home team steadily pulled away.
"We played with a lot of intensity in the second half," Lawson said. "Kachi hit some big threes, we got some good looks, and we finished the game with a lot of energy."
Eastern Illinois carried a 37–30 advantage into halftime after winning the battle on the offensive glass, but Little Rock flipped the script after the break, tightening defensively and controlling the tempo.
Four Trojans scored in double figures, led by Nzeh with 17 points, three three-pointers and two blocks. Lawson added 15 points, three triples and six assists, while
Braxton Bayless finished with 14 points and two steals.
Cameron Wallace posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Trojans, who have won six of their past seven games, return to action Saturday, Jan. 17, hosting Western Illinois at 3 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
"There are no cakewalks in this league, and we know we are going to get their best shot," Walker said. "I'm going to get to work preparing for them right now."
