JONESBORO -- Arkansas State went on a 16-0 run midway through the second half and held off a UALR rally to beat the Trojans 67-58 Friday night before 6,367 at the Convocation Center.
UALR rallied from seven down at halftime to lead by one point twice, the last time at 38-37 on Jalen Jackson's basket in the paint, before Arkansas State's decisive run. After the run, it was 53-38 with 9:04 remaining.
Arkansas State went more than six minutes without a field goal as the Trojans pulled within 56-51 at 3:16. Devin Carter got loose for a corner three and Donte Thomas followed with two free throws on the next possession, helping the Red Wolves lead 63-53 with 1:24 left. Kemy Osse and Lis Shoshi combined for five straight UALR points before Arkansas State closed the game with four straight free throws.
Arkansas State made 16 of 27 free throws compared to three of eight for UALR (13-14, 4-10 Sun Belt).
Carter scored a game-high 18 points, hitting four of six three-point attempts. Deven Sams added 16 points and Rashad Lindsey 10 for Arkansas State (19-8, 10-4). Tamas Bruce had a game-high 10 rebounds and seven points for the Red Wolves, who swept the season series in a matchup of first-year head coaches (Grant McCasland at Arkansas State, Wes Flanagan at UALR).
Jackson finished with 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting and Marcus Johnson Jr. added 10 as the only other Trojan in double figures.
Arkansas State concludes its home schedule with games Saturday against Georgia Southern and Feb. 27 against Georgia State, both set for 7 p.m. UALR has home games Saturday against Georgia State (6 p.m.) and Feb. 27 against Georgia Southern (8 p.m.). The Trojans have lost three straight on the road since a 69-62 victory over Appalachian State Feb. 6 at Jack Stephens Center.
Sports on 02/19/2017