BASKETBALL V. EASTERN ILLINOIS

Ovc Supremacy

Following a low-scoring affair ending in a narrow 46-42 victory, the Trojans stood alone atop the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) in their first season after leaving the Sun Belt.

On par with their theme, the Trojans stormed the interior led by junior forward Sali Kourouma and her 21 points, 16 from the field and the rest from the line.

Senior forward Angelique Francis was right behind her with 12 points and also brought in seven rebounds.

The team effort on the glass was superb, as the majority of the players finished with four or more rebounds and sophomore guard Jaiyah Harris-Smith led the effort with 11.

With UA Little Rock being 18-9,

14-1 in conference, they were able to avenge their only in-conference loss by winning the battle at the Jack Stephens Center and asserting their dominance.

Speaking of dominance, Kourouma scored the first 11 points for UALR, including a tough shot over Thornton and Lariah Washington and converting the one thereafter.

Washington was held to just two points in the effort going 1-13 from the field. This forced Eastern Illinois University to look for other sources to stay in the game, however it was not enough to overcome the stifling defense from UALR.

Games like these highlight why the Trojans are No. 4 in the nation when it comes to points allowed.

The Trojan women will ride high entering the OVC tournament, after two more stops, as the No. 1 seed looking to show everyone why they shall be feared for years to come.

While today’s game is based around the three-point-shot, the Trojans are tried and true to their interior mastery and starting on March 1, 2023, it will be known if that style is championship worthy.

UALR is a team that knows its strength and uses that to bulldoze anyone in their path.

The World Stops In The Rock

The men’s game tipped off with ferocity as both teams went scoreless in the first minute with a series of turnovers forced by both teams setting the tone for a grindit-out style game.

Every shot during the first quarter was tightly contested along with every rebound and loose ball.

Simply put, it was clear that this game was a duel of wills from each man who took the floor that night.