Trojans Fall at Arkansas State, 67-58

JONESBORO, Ark. – A 16-0 run by Arkansas State midway through the second half lifted the Red Wolves (19-8, 10-4 SBC) to a 67-58 win over Little Rock (13-14, 4-10 SBC) at the Convocation Center on Friday. Little Rock used a late push to pull as close as five twice in the final minutes, but was unable to get over the hump.
 
Down seven at halftime, the Trojans played their best basketball of the game at the start of the second half. Little Rock's defense stopped Arkansas State on its first five possessions after halftime and built a 36-35 lead after Oliver Black's free throws with 14:08 to play. Jalen Jackson's finish in the paint put the Trojans up 38-37 before Arkansas State's run. The Red Wolves scored the next 16 points to build a 53-38 with 9:04 remaining.
 
The Trojans used an 11-1 run to pull within five, 56-51, with 3:16 remaining. Arkansas State went over six minutes without a field goal during the Trojans' spurt.
 
The Trojans were still within five when Devin Carter got loose for a corner 3. Donte Thomas followed with two free throws on the next possession to put Arkansas State up 63-53 with just 1:24 remaining.
 
Kemy Osse and Lis Shoshi combined for five straight points to bring the margin to 63-58. Arkansas State closed the game with four straight free throws.
 
Jackson led Little Rock with 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Marcus Johnson Jr. scored 10 points as the only other Trojan in double figures.
 
The Red Wolves made 16 of 27 free throws on the night compared to 3 of 8 for the Trojans.
 
Arkansas State led Little Rock 33-26 at halftime.
 
Little Rock for the first 7:35 of the game, but a 10-0 spurt by the Red Wolves put Arkansas State up 17-9 midway through the half. Osse's 3 from the wing stopped the bleeding, but Deven Simm's 3-pointer at the 5:26 mark put the Red Wolves up 27-15.
 
Little Rock answered with its own run late in the half to pull within four. Jackson scored four points in the Trojans' 9-1 spurt, including a fast-break dunk that made it 28-24 with 2:14 until halftime.
 
The Red Wolves scored the next five points before Black's offensive board and putback at the halftime horn made in a seven-point game at intermission.
 
Little Rock is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 25 when it hosts Georgia State for Senior Night. Tipoff will follow the women's game vs. Georgia State and is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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