Jones ties career-high in 2OT heartbreaker

LITTLE ROCK -- Malvern alum and Little Rock sophomore guard Andre Jones tied his career-high with 25 points Saturday as the Trojans fell 74-66 at home in the Jack Stephens Center.

Little Rock overcame an 11-point deficit in the first half, an eight-point hole in the second and a three-point deficit in the first overtime period. The rally came up short in the second overtime period.

Jones shot 11-for-21 and just missing a double-double, finishing with nine rebounds. Anthony Black, of Little Rock Hall, notched a career-high for the Trojans with 14 points.

They were the only two players to finish in double figures for Little Rock as Ben Marcus, of Watson Chapel, posted eight points and five rebounds with Damir Hadzic, from Bosnia, adding six points, three boards and a pair of assists. Jaizec Lottie, from Colorado, dished out a career-best six assists, finishing with three points and four rebounds.

The Trojans made 28 of their 77 shots, 36.4 percent, but just 4 of 30 three-point attempts, 13.3 percent. Little Rock also had a significant deficit at the foul line, shooting just 11 free throws, with six made, compared to 16 of 28 for Oral Roberts.

The Trojans forced 24 Golden Eagle turnovers but were only able to score 18 points off those takeaways as Little Rock also held a 38-32 edge in points in the paint, the seventh time in eight games this season the Trojans have won that category.

Oral Roberts used a 15-4 run at the midway point of the opening half to build an 11-point lead on the Trojans, leading 19-8 at the 6:43 mark. Little Rock responded with a 7-0 run of its own, led by five from Black, pulling to within four at 19-15.

Similar to Wednesday night against Central Arkansas, Little Rock seemed to find its energy at halftime, using an 8-2 run over the opening three minutes to pull ahead of the Golden Eagles at 26-25, its first lead of the game. The Trojans pushed that run to 15-4, led by five from Black, building a 33-27 lead at the 15:29 mark.

The Golden Eagles led by as many as eight at 49-41 with 6:15 to play, but an 8-0 run by the Trojans tied the game at 49-49 with 4:14 to go. The game was tied 54-54 at the end of regulation after Little Rock was unable to convert their final opportunity in the closing seconds.

Little Rock pulled back in front at 63-62 off a reverse-layup from Jones with 1:23 remaining in the first overtime. Trailing 64-63, Hadzic hit 1 of 2 free throws with five seconds remaining.

The Golden Eagles outscored the Trojans 10-2 over the final five minutes, aided by four offensive boards. Oral Roberts had four players in double figures.

The Trojans will play four of their next five away from the Jack Stephens Center, beginning Saturday for the back end of the home-and-home against Central Arkansas in Conway. Opening tip against the Bears is set for 7 p.m.

Sports on 12/04/2017

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