LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock used a strong fourth quarter and dominance inside to pull away from SIUE, 73–64, Saturday afternoon at the Jack Stephens Center. The Trojans improved to 12-12 overall and 8-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play after breaking a fourth-quarter tie and controlling the game down the stretch.
Little Rock finished with a 34–point advantage in the paint and won the rebounding battle, 44–37, including 12 offensive boards that led to key second-chance opportunities. The Trojans also converted 12 points off turnovers, matching SIUE's 11 giveaways with efficient execution on the offensive end.
"We're playing hard and we're playing together," head coach
Steve Wiedower said. "When we defend and rebound the way we did today, it gives us a chance to win. I thought our effort in the fourth quarter was exactly what we needed."
After leading 18–14 at the end of the first quarter, Little Rock built momentum midway through the second with a 7–0 run capped by a
Jordan Holman three-pointer. The Trojans maintained defensive pressure and went into halftime locked in a tight contest.
Little Rock carried a slim edge into the fourth quarter before taking control with timely free throws, interior scoring, and strong rebounding. Holman knocked down a pair of free throws midway through the period to push the lead to double digits, and
Mya Cotto added back-to-back layups to keep SIUE at bay.
Brenna Burk sealed the win at the line as the Trojans closed out the final minutes.
Holman led the way with a dominant performance, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds to record a double-double while adding two three-pointers.
"I was mad from the game Thursday," Holman said. "That loss motivated me to play well [against SIUE].
Burk added 19 points, going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, while
Pearson McVay chipped in 10 points on 50 percent shooting. Cotto and
Alaina Payne helped set the tone defensively and facilitated the offense throughout the afternoon.
Little Rock will hit the road Thursday, Feb. 12, traveling to Macomb, Ill., to face Western Illinois at 5 p.m.
