Arkansas-Little Rock holds off Troy 67-61

TROY, Ala. (AP) Marcus Johnson Jr. scored 22 points and Jalen Jackson added 18 and Arkansas-Little Rock held off Troy 67-61 on Saturday.

Jordon Varnado, who had 18 points, hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds left to pull Troyin with 61-58. Little Rock made 4 of 6 free throws to secure the win.

A late 3 from Kelton Ford made Troy (5-8, 0-2 Sun Belt) just the third team to surpass 60 against Little Rock (12-1, 2-0).

Jackson had 16 points in the second half for Little Rock (12-1, 2-0 Sun Belt) and shot 8 of 11 from the field. Johnson had four 3s and made 8 of 9 free throws.

Little Rock shot 54.5 percent in the second half (12 of 22).

Troy led 34-29 at the half against the team that leads in the nation in scoring defense (55.2) but only shot 26 percent (6 of 23) in the second half.