LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock came up just short in a tightly contested Ohio Valley Conference matchup Thursday night, falling 79-74 to Lindenwood at the Jack Stephens Center.
The Trojans controlled the interior throughout the night, scoring 42 points in the paint, and matched Lindenwood possession for possession. The game featured 19 lead changes and was tied 12 times before the Lions sealed the outcome at the free-throw line in the closing minute.
Little Rock opened the game with energy on both ends of the floor. Johnathan Lawson scored 22 points to lead the Trojans, connecting on nine field goals while also adding five assists and three blocks. Kachi Nzeh followed with 18 points, hitting seven shots from the floor, including three three-pointers, and pulled down seven rebounds. Cameron Wallace provided a strong two-way effort with 12 points, five rebounds, and a team-high four steals, while Tuongthach Gatkek added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.
Lawson and Nzeh helped Little Rock jump out to an early lead, highlighted by Nzeh's three-pointer in the opening minutes and Wallace's transition layup off a turnover. The Trojans' defensive pressure created early opportunities, but Lindenwood countered with timely perimeter shooting to keep the game close.
The back-and-forth continued into the final minutes of the first half. Lawson scored on a late jumper, and Caleb Pennyfeather briefly gave Little Rock the lead with under a minute remaining, but Lindenwood closed the half at the free-throw line to take a 31-30 edge into the break.
Little Rock came out strong in the second half, with Wallace igniting the crowd with a putback dunk on the opening possession. Lawson continued to anchor the offense, while Gatkek worked effectively on the glass to generate second-chance opportunities. Nzeh's layup with under three minutes remaining pulled the Trojans within one, but Lindenwood connected on key free throws down the stretch and finished the night with nine three-pointers to preserve the win.
Little Rock (9-15, 6-7 OVC) returns to action Saturday, Feb. 7, hosting SIUE at 3 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
