JONESBORO, Ark.?It took a career-night from Dereke Tipler, but Arkansas State finally managed to pull out a 91-77 win over Freed-Hardeman here Saturday afternoon.

            ASU struggled to contain FHU's 3-point shooters as they lit up the nets for 13 field goals behind the arc.  Nathan Aaron led the way for the Lions by connecting on 6-of-12 from deep.

            Leading 41-39 at the half, ASU came out and tried to start the second half with a run, quickly building the lead to six at 47-41 when Tipler hit a floater in the lane.  But ASU's lead would not get larger than eight for most of the second half as FHU continued to hang around in the game despite committing 20 turnovers on the day.

            FHU's Tyler Jennings was left alone in the paint and went in for an uncontested layup to pull the Lioins back to within six at 76-70 with 5:06 left in the game.  Jennings then hit one of two free throws with 4:13 left to pull FHU to within five.  But that was it for the Lions.

            Isaac Wells followed that with a layup on a nice pass from Tipler to push ASU up seven.  A pair of free throws by Tipler gave ASU a nine point cushion and after a free throw made by FHU, Jim Jones drained a 3 in transition to give ASU an 11-point lead with just 2:01 left.

            The Indians (4-4) came out flat against the visitors from NAIA while the Lions roared out to a 20-7 lead when Nathan Aaron canned a 3-pointer from the wing to give FHU (5-7) its largest lead of the night at 13.  ASU head coach Dickey Nutt called a 30-second timeout and the Indians began chipping away at the lead.

            The Indians finally took a one-point lead at 32-31, the first lead of the game for the Tribe, when Tipler went in for a layup with just 5:28 left in the first half.

            Tipler led the way for ASU in an impressive performance all around, scoring a career-high 23 points to go along with five assists, seven steals and three rebounds.  Ardison followed by tying his career high with 19 points and setting his career high with 11 rebounds.  Wells added 13 points and seven boards and Jim Jones had a quiet 15 points and seven boards.

            FHU was led by Kristoffer Smith's 21 points, followed byAaron's 18 and Josh Haislip's 11 points.  Jennings paced the Lions with six rebounds.

            The Indians return to the hardwood on Wednesday when Lamar and Billy Tubbs invade the Convocation Center.  Tipoff is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.