UA-Little Rock rally fails at Sam Houston

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — It was a tale of runs Friday night in Huntsville as the Little Rock Trojans dropped a 57-55 decision to the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Johnson Coliseum.

Trailing 57-49 with just under four minutes to go, Little Rock (2-9) made one final rally, aided by backto-back Bearkat turnovers in the final minute which led to Trojan layups. Down 57-55 with 9.6 seconds remaining, Sam Houston State (6-5) missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving the Trojans one final shot. With under two seconds left, a pass inside for the potential game-tying lay-up was stolen away by the Bearkats, preserving the 57-55 victory for Sam Houston State.

The loss extended Little Rock’s winless streak to four games.

For the game, Little Rock shot 41.5 percent from the floor, converting 22 of its 53 attempts, while hitting 28.6 percent from beyond the three-point arc, making 8 of its 28 attempts.

Three players finished in double figures for Little Rock, led by 11 from Cameron Corcoran, who hit four of his eight shots and three of seven from beyond the arc. Malvern’s Andre Jones and Anthony Black each finished with 10 points for the Trojans with Damir Hadzic adding seven points on the night.

From the onset, it looked as if the struggles from Wednesday night’s loss at Bradley were continuing as Little Rock turnovers and Sam Houston shooting found the Trojans in an early 9-2 hole at the first media timeout. Bradley (8-2) blasted the Trojans

86-46 Wednesday in Peoria, Ill.

Trojans coach Wes Flanigan made the decision to hold Jones out of the loss to Bradley. Jones, with

13 points per game, is the only Little Rock player averaging in double digits. Black ranks second on the team with 7.1 points per game.

With the loss to the Bearkats, Little Rock falls to 3-2 all-time against Sam Houston State, finishing the non-conference slate with a 1-2 record against Southland Conference schools. The Trojans are still in search of their first road win on the year as the streak has hit seven-straight losses, winning one of their last 14 away from the Jack Stephens Center.

Little Rock was hoping home would be the cure as the Trojans played their final non-conference home game on Monday, hosting the University of the Ozarks.