LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a competitive matchup on Thursday evening, Mwani Wilkinson led the Little Rock Trojans to a narrow 60-56 victory against SIU-Edwardsville.
Wilkerson demonstrated his skills by scoring 16 points and securing six rebounds, contributing significantly to his team’s performance. The Trojans improved their record to 7-5 overall and celebrated their first win in the Ohio Valley Conference, now standing at 1-0.

Isaiah Lewis also had a notable night, putting up 13 points and adding five rebounds to the team’s total. Ante Beljan matched Lewis’s scoring output with another 13-point performance while showcasing accuracy, hitting 5 out of 6 shots from the field and converting 3 out of 6 free throws.

On the opposing side, Ray’Sean Taylor was the standout player for the Cougars, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds despite the team’s loss. His efforts were complemented by Brian Taylor II, who contributed 12 points and eight rebounds for SIU-Edwardsville. Additionally, Ring Malith added seven points, six rebounds, and contributed defensively with two steals, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win as the Cougars fell to a record of 7-5 and 0-1 in the conference.

The thrilling game highlighted strong performances from both teams as they aimed to establish their presence in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. With both teams showcasing potential, the competition promises to remain fierce as the season progresses.