In Edwardsville, Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville secured a notable victory against Little Rock, winning 73-65, which allowed them to earn the second seed in the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference tournament. The tournament is set to commence on Wednesday in Evansville, Indiana, but the Cougars, with their impressive record, have earned a double-bye straight into the semifinals scheduled for Friday. On the other hand, the Trojans now hold the fourth seed and will compete in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Key player Ring Malith was instrumental in the Cougars’ victory, scoring 21 points and pulling down seven rebounds, greatly contributing to their success this season (20-11, 13-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference). Additionally, Ray’Sean Taylor made a significant impact with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Arnas Sakenis also played a crucial role by adding nine points, shooting two of four from the field, and five of eight from the free-throw line.
For Little Rock, Jordan Jefferson led the scoring with 21 points and four steals in an impressive performance, despite the team’s loss. Isaiah Lewis supported with his contribution of 15 points and nine rebounds. Johnathan Lawson also managed to make a mark by scoring 12 points, while securing four steals and two blocks.
This gripping matchup showcased the talents on both sides, setting the stage for an exciting Ohio Valley Conference tournament season.
