JONESBORO, Ark.?Georgia Southern controlled the opening tip then led the entire game as the Eagles defeated the Indians of Arkansas State, 82-71, in men's basketball action.
In a rarity for ASU (4-6), the Indians never led in a home game in which the visitors from GSU (7-4) jumped out to an 11 point lead midway through the first half and cruised to a relative easy victory. Jim Jones led the way for ASU with 20 points.
Trailing by 11 with 9:26 left to play, Marcus Ardison began the Indian attempt at a come back in the game by knocking down two free throws. After a defensive stop by ASU, Isaac Wells took the ball down the court for a layup then Yual Banks hit a pair of free throws to slice the deficit to five at 67-62.
The two continued to trade points afterwards for the next several possessions before Ardison connected on a tough turn-around jumper in the lane and then Dereke Tipler hit two free throws. After a missed out-of-control lay-up attempt by Elton Nesbitt, Banks cut the GSU lead to three when he hit one of two free throws. That made the score 73-70 with just 47 seconds left in the game.
But Nesbitt came off a double screen and popped a wide-open 3-pointer from the wing that was the final dagger in the heart of the Indians. Nesbitt led all scorers with 28 points on the night, including hitting 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
Statistically, the teams were even with GSU hitting 46.7 percent from the field while ASU connected on 46 percent. Rebounds were near even and free throws made were close. But ASU had difficulty in two areas; turnovers and 3-point shooting.
GSU scored 15 points behind the 3-point line while ASU was limited to just one 3 in 10 tries. The Indians also had 18 turnovers on the night, several unforced that appeared to be leading to easy baskets.
Dwayne Foreman scored 13 points and Louis Graham and Sean Olivier added 12 each for the Eagles. Aside from Jones' effort, Ardison scored 18 and had seven rebounds and Tipler added 13 points and five boards.
This game gives the Indians three home losses already on the season after losing just twice last season. ASU is just 2-3 in the Convocation Center for this year. ASU travels to Ole Miss for Monday's game at Oxford, Miss. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
