MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Johnathan Lawson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists, and the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans used a dominant first half to cruise past the Western Illinois Leathernecks 77-58 in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Western Hall.

The Trojans, who swept the season series from Western Illinois after a January win in Little Rock, improved to 10-16 overall. The Leathernecks fell to 5-22.

The most important part of the game was the opening 20 minutes, where Arkansas-Little Rock established a commanding lead that Western Illinois never threatened. The Trojans’ defense was stifling from the outset, forcing the Leathernecks into a shot-clock violation on their first possession and holding them to just 24 points on 9-of-28 shooting in the first half. Arkansas-Little Rock, meanwhile, built a 35-24 halftime advantage behind efficient ball movement and interior scoring, netting 40 points in the paint for the game.

Lawson orchestrated the offense throughout, adding two blocks and seven rebounds to his stat line. His playmaking was complemented by balanced scoring. Braxton Bayless scored 14 points, while Cameron Wallace and Truman Claytor each added 16. Claytor’s production came in just 20 minutes off the bench. Tuongthach Gatkek contributed eight points and seven rebounds.

Western Illinois, which struggled offensively all night with an offensive rating of 82.2 points per 100 possessions, was led by Lucas Lorenzen’s game-high 19 points. Isaiah Griffin added 11 points, but the Leathernecks shot just 37.9% from the field and 25% from three-point range. They were also hampered by 9 turnovers, which the Trojans converted into 13 points.

Arkansas-Little Rock extended its lead early in the second half, pushing the margin to 19 points on a Gatkek layup with 17:46 remaining. Western Illinois never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way, as the Trojans maintained their defensive intensity and controlled the glass with a 12-5 advantage in offensive rebounds.

The game was a departure from recent trends for both teams. Arkansas-Little Rock snapped a three-game losing streak, while Western Illinois failed to build on a home victory over Eastern Illinois from three days prior. The Trojans’ offensive rating of 111.3 was a key factor, as they managed their 77 points on just 69 possessions.

A sparse crowd of 561 at Western Hall saw the Trojans lead for over 39 minutes of game time. Arkansas-Little Rock set the tone early with a 9-0 run and never looked back, answering any brief Leatherneck momentum with immediate scores.

Arkansas-Little Rock will look to build on the win with a quick turnaround, traveling to face Eastern Illinois on Saturday. Western Illinois continues its homestand next Thursday against Southern Indiana.