JONESBORO, Ark.?Dereke Tipler scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the second half as Arkansas State held off a late charge by Arkansas-Little Rock and claimed a 78-66 win over its conference and instate foe.
ASU (9-13, 4-4 SBC) once again had balanced scoring from a short-handed bench as four players scored in double figures and two others chipped in eight and nine points to help the Indians sweep the series for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. ASU head coach Dickey Nutt pointed to several keys to the victory.
“I thought the difference in the game was we hung tough, we hit our free throws and we did a good job blocking out,” said Nutt. “Defensively, we did some good things. We were everywhere.”
The Indians limited the Trojans (11-8, 4-3 SBC) to just 37.5 percent shooting for the game but allowed 34 rebounds, 15 of them on the offensive glass. ASU also ended the game with eight blocked shots and six steals.
Like a broken record, ASU would build a double-digit lead in the first half, a trend that usually spelled trouble in the form of the opposition charging back to take a lead in the second half. But this night was different, although for a few tense moments the game almost got away from ASU again.
Leading by 10 at 56-46 with 7:52 left to play, UALR's Elijah Muldrow connected on a 3 from the wing to slice ASU's lead back to seven. After a bucket by ASU's Marcus Ardison, Muldrow again connected on a three to make the score, 58-52.
ASU's Lorenzo Hampton turned the ball over on the Indians' next possession and UALR took the ball down the court. After a Hampton foul, ASU's Isaac Wells was whistled for a personal foul, then a technical foul, giving him four with 6:17 left and ASU up only six. That could have been a turning point in the game, but Nutt said his team overcame the foul.
“That was the thing we talked about all week long, controlling our emotions,” said Nutt. “And we can not afford a technical foul, that could have been a difference one way or another.”
“We regrouped, we talked about not letting that particular play and them hitting three out of four free throws determine the outcome of the game.”
Zack Wright missed one of two free throws from the technical then Byron Ray connected on both of his free throws to cut ASU's lead to three at 58-55. After each team missed open shots in the ensuing possessions, ASU turned the ball.
UALR had possession and could pull within one or even a tie, but a wide open Lekheythan Malone missed a three from the wing that could have tied it.
Yual Banks came down and connected on jumper just inside the arc to give ASU a 62-57 lead with 4:03 remaining. That basket started ASU on a quick 12-3 run that sealed the game.
“I thought Yual Banks hit some big shots in the second half tonight,” said Nutt. “He's really developing into a good shooting guard out there.”
Tipler controlled the ball down the stretch for ASU, hitting five free throws and handing out an assist over the final 4:03 to seal the win.
For Tipler, it was business as usual against the Trojans. Last season Tipler's two highest scoring games came against the Trojans and this season he scored a career-best 30 points at UALR, following with 22 points on Saturday.
Ardison scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting while drawing the defensive assignment on Rashad Jones-Jennings. Banks scored 13 for the Tribe and Jim Jones added 12.
“Marcus Ardison was really a beast in there tonight, a go-to guy,” said Nutt. “That was really impressive tonight for him.”
UALR was paced by Zack Wright and his 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting, but also had a team-high nine assists. Jones-Jennings added 11 points and 12 rebounds, Muldrow added 13 and Ray scored 10.
ASU's biggest lead of the night came late in the first half when, with 36 seconds to play before halftime, Jones hit two free throws. UALR's Brandon Nichols followed late with a 3-pointer from the wing with just four seconds left, giving ASU a 41-30 lead at the break.
The Indians will return to the hardcourt on Wednesday when they face Sun Belt Conference newcomer Troy in an 8:05 p.m. tipoff.
