CHARLESTON, Ill. — Little Rock delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor Saturday afternoon, using a dominant first quarter and balanced production throughout the lineup to secure a convincing 73-53 victory over Eastern Illinois at Groniger Arena.
The Trojans improved to 13-13 overall and 9-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play, controlling the game with a 42-37 rebounding advantage and a commanding 38-16 edge in points in the paint.
Little Rock set the tone immediately. Destinee Salgado opened the scoring with a steal and layup, igniting a 29-9 first-quarter explosion that showcased the Trojans' defensive intensity and offensive efficiency. Mya Cotto and Brenna Burk each knocked down three-pointers during the run, while the Trojan defense forced six turnovers and limited the Panthers to just nine points in the period. Jordan Holman punctuated the dominant quarter with a block in the final seconds, symbolizing Little Rock's defensive focus.
"That's exactly how we want to play," Little Rock head coach Steve Wiedower said. "We were aggressive defensively, shared the basketball, and attacked the paint. When we rebound and defend like that, we put ourselves in position to control the game."
Eastern Illinois responded with a 14-2 second quarter, but Little Rock never lost its composure. The Trojans regrouped at halftime and reasserted their control in the third quarter, outscoring the Panthers 22-14 behind timely shooting and continued work on the glass.
Burk ignited the second-half push with a layup early in the third, and Holman delivered a key three-pointer midway through the quarter to stretch the lead. Salgado's relentless effort on the boards helped generate second-chance opportunities, while Blessing Teamer added a momentum-stopping block late in the period.
Little Rock closed the game with authority in the fourth quarter, outscoring Eastern Illinois 20-16. Salgado converted a fast-break layup early, Holman added another inside basket, and Cotto capped the scoring with a layup in the final seconds as the Trojans maintained control throughout.
Holman led a balanced Trojan attack with a dominant double-double, finishing with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals. Burk paced Little Rock offensively with 19 points, knocking down five three-pointers, tying her career high in a standout shooting performance.
"We came in focused on setting the tone early," Holman said. "Coach always emphasizes defense and rebounding, and we took pride in that today. When we play together and trust each other, we're a really tough team to beat."
Holman also reached a significant milestone, scoring her 1,000th point as a Trojan on a drive late in the game.
"I am proud to be a Trojan, and it means a lot to me," Holman said. "It's a great accomplishment, and I'm grateful to achieve it here with my teammates and coaches."
Salgado added 11 points and 10 rebounds for her own double-double, while Cotto contributed 11 points and two blocks. Alaina Payne orchestrated the offense brilliantly, recording 10 assists along with seven rebounds and two steals.
The Trojans' inside dominance and defensive pressure proved decisive, as Little Rock controlled the glass, protected the rim, and consistently found high-percentage scoring opportunities.
With the victory, Little Rock continues its strong push in conference play and returns home with momentum. The Trojans will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup when they host UT Martin on Thursday, Feb. 19. Tip=off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
"We're playing our best basketball when we defend, rebound, and play for each other," Wiedower said. "This group continues to grow, and we're excited about the momentum we're building as we head into the final stretch at home."
•••
For the latest information on Little Rock Women's Basketball, visit LRTrojans.com and follow @LittleRockWBB on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Get the latest Trojan news — including the weekly Trojan Report — delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for Little Rock Trojan E-News here.
#LittleRocksTeam | #RockSolid
