EVANSVILLE, Ind. — KK Robinson and DeAntoni Gordon scored 16 points each as top-seeded Little Rock blew past No. 7 seed Western Illinois 82-57 to secure a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game.
The Trojans, searching for their first NCAA Tournament berth since the 2016 season, will face third-seeded Morehead State in the tournament final.
Little Rock shot an efficient 53.1% from the floor and held a 40-28 lead at the half, which they would not relinquish. The Trojans tallied 20 assists while only turning the ball over seven times.
Coming out of the break, Little Rock guard Jamir Chaplin knocked down a three-pointer and two jumpers to spark the Trojans on a 13-0 run to take a 59-33 lead with 14:55 remaining in the game.
Chaplin finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of action, while Jordan Jefferson added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Makhel Mitchell had eight points, three rebounds and a team-high five assists.
The OVC Tournament championship will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and the winner will earn an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.