LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After knocking off then-OVC co-leader UT Martin on Thursday night, the Trojans now turn their attention to one of the conference's new frontrunners — Southeast Missouri.
The Redhawks (16-11, 12-5 OVC) enter Saturday tied with Tennessee State and Morehead State atop the league standings. Little Rock's win over UT Martin shuffled the standings and moved the Trojans into fourth place, just one game behind the leading trio.
Now, Little Rock has a chance to continue its push against the upper echelon of the conference when the teams tip at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Jack Stephens Center, following the women's game at 1 p.m.
The Trojans may have extra energy behind them.
In an effort to "Pack the Rock," Trojan supporters have purchased thousands of tickets and donated them to local schools, community groups and families throughout Central Arkansas. Area students received both paper and electronic vouchers for up to four tickets, which can be redeemed through the doubleheader Saturday and presented at the gate.
Fans without vouchers can still purchase tickets at lrtrojans.com or at the Jack Stephens Center box office.
Saturday will also feature Little Rock's annual Pink Game as part of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association initiative inspired by legendary coach Kay Yow to raise awareness in the fight against cancer. The women's team will wear alternate pink uniforms, and cancer survivors will join the Little Rock starters during pregame introductions in a powerful show of support. The women tip at 1 p.m., setting the stage for the men's 3 p.m. matchup.
The first 400 students in attendance will receive a free pink T-shirt and pizza, enhancing the game-day atmosphere.
In addition, the Little Rock School District will collect new and gently used books as part of its Reading in the Rock program, continuing the department's commitment to community engagement.
With first place within reach and momentum building, Saturday presents both a competitive opportunity and a community celebration inside the Jack Stephens Center.
GAME INFO
Who: SEMO (16-11, 12-5) at Little Rock (11-17, 8-9)
When: 3 p.m., Saturday, February 21
Where: Jack Stephens Center (5,600)
Radio: 106.7 Buz2 (Ray Tucker, pxp) Listen
HERE.
Video: Watch
HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
•SEMO leads the series 5-3.
COACH SPEAK
"I was just so happy for our players. They deserved a moment like [the last-second win over UT Martin]," head coach
Darrell Walker said. "They have been working hard all season and playing tired and hurt, and to see them that happy made me emotional — and I don't usually get too emotional."
Thursday's 67-65 win over UT Martin wasn't just another conference victory — it was a release. It was validation for a team that has battled injuries, fatigue and adversity throughout the season.
TROJAN TIDBITS
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Tuongthach Gatkek etched his name into Trojan lore with his buzzer-beating layup against UT Martin. The reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year blocked two shots earlier in the contest before delivering the defining play: a steal with 4.4 seconds remaining, a full-court sprint and a scoop layup through contact that spun around the rim before falling just ahead of the horn.
His moment joins some of the most iconic finishes in Stephens Center history — including Alex Garcia-Mendoza's half-court dagger against Arkansas State in 2010, Josh Hagins' overtime-forcing three in the 2016 NCAA Tournament win over Purdue and Steven Moore's coast-to-coast winner at Troy in 2008. Teammate
Johnathan Lawson added two last-second winners of his own last season against UT Martin and Southeast Missouri.
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Cameron Wallace recorded his fifth double-double of the season Thursday night, leading the Trojans with 21 points and 10 rebounds while adding four assists.
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Johnathan Lawson played all 40 minutes — the eighth time this season he hasn't left the floor.
•Walk-on guard
Joseph Thomas was inserted during the final two minutes after Wallace fouled out. Thomas grabbed a key rebound and earned praise from Walker for his defensive presence in a pressure-packed moment.
SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS
•SEMO has won eight of its past nine games, with the lone loss coming at SIUE (74-56) on Feb. 12.
•The Redhawks lead the OVC in rebounding defense, allowing just 32.2 rebounds per game.
•Junior Luke Almodovar leads the team in scoring at just over 14 points per game. The Indiana native, a former NAIA standout at St. Francis, is shooting just over 33 percent from three-point range. He drained a career-high six triples against UT Martin in January and exploded for 29 points against Cal Poly.
•Landren Blocker, a Little Rock native, scored 13 points and made a career-high six field goals in SEMO's win over the Trojans last month.
