LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Behind another dominant performance from
Jordan Holman and a determined fourth-quarter rally, Little Rock closed the regular season showing its postseason form despite a 68-63 setback to Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Saturday at the Jack Stephens Center.
Little Rock (15-15, 11-9 OVC) outscored Southern Indiana by seven points in the fourth quarter and poured in 40 second-half points, battling back from a double-digit deficit to tie the game in the final two minutes. The Trojans placed three players in double figures and dominated the boards behind a pair of double-doubles, reinforcing the balanced attack that carried them to a top-five conference finish.
Holman led the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds, securing her latest double-double while adding two steals.
Destinee Salgado delivered a strong inside presence with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and a block, while
Brenna Burkscored 15 points, knocking down three three-pointers and tying the game at 63-63 with clutch free throws late.
Alaina Payne orchestrated the offense with seven assists, while adding five rebounds and three steals.
Southern Indiana built an early advantage and led 30-23 at halftime, but Little Rock steadily chipped away behind Holman's perimeter shooting and Salgado's work in the paint. The Trojans trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter before mounting their strongest push of the afternoon. Burk opened the final period with a three-pointer, and Little Rock's defense held the Screaming Eagles to just 13 fourth-quarter points.
With momentum on their side, the Trojans erased the deficit and tied the game in the final minute, showcasing the toughness and resilience that defined their conference season.
"We showed the fight and togetherness that we've had all year," Little Rock head coach
Steve Wiedower said. "This group never quits, and that's the mentality we'll take with us into the conference tournament. We've put ourselves in a strong position, and now it's about playing our best basketball when it matters most."
Little Rock earned the No. 5 seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament and will open tournament play 12:30 p.m., Wednesday against No. 8 seed Southeast Missouri State at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
