Little Rock's trip to Liberty Arena in Indiana ended in a convincing 77-62 victory over Southern Indiana, with the Trojans' offense firing on all cylinders in the second half. The win marked a strong performance by Little Rock, who outscored Southern Indiana 43-26 in the final 20 minutes to secure the 15-point margin.
At the forefront of Little Rock's success was Kachi Nzeh, who led the team with 21 points, matching the output of Southern Indiana's top performer, Ismail Habib. Habib's 21 points and 5 rebounds were not enough to overcome the balanced attack of Little Rock, which saw three players score in double figures. Cameron Wallace added 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Johnathan Lawson chipped in with 18 points.
The first half was closely contested, with Little Rock taking a slim 34-36 lead into the break. However, the Trojans came out strong in the second half, using a combination of tough defense and efficient offense to pull away from Southern Indiana. The Screaming Eagles, who fell to 5-15 on the season, were led by Habib and Cardell Bailey, who scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Despite the loss, Southern Indiana showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the first half when they managed to stay neck and neck with Little Rock. However, the Trojans' depth and athleticism ultimately proved too much for the Screaming Eagles to handle.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Little Rock currently ranked 300th in the net rankings and Southern Indiana sitting at 331st. While the win does not significantly boost Little Rock's tournament resume, it does help to pad their win total and provides a much-needed confidence boost heading into the heart of their schedule.
For Southern Indiana, the loss is another setback in a season that has been marked by struggles. The Screaming Eagles want to regroup and refocus as they head into the new year, searching for a way to turn their season around.
In terms of tournament implications, this result does little to change the landscape for either team. Little Rock's win keeps them in the mix for a potential postseason berth, but they must string together several more victories to seriously contend for a spot. Southern Indiana, on the other hand, faces an uphill climb to become a tournament contender, and must dramatically turn their season around to have any hope of earning a bid.
The victory for Little Rock brings their record to 9-11 on the season, a mark that, while not spectacular, shows promise for a team that has faced its share of challenges this year. As the season wears on, the Trojans want to build on this performance and make a push for a stronger finish. For now, the win over Southern Indiana serves as a welcome boost to their resume, even if it is a Quadrant 4 victory.