JONESBORO, Ark. (11/12/24) – Ten different players scored on Tuesday night, including three in double figures, as the Arkansas State men's basketball team defeated in-state rival Little Rock 80-63 inside First National Bank Arena.
A crowd of 5,187 – the largest since a February 2017 bout with the Trojans – witnessed the Red Wolves (2-1) make 13 3-pointers and force the Trojans (1-2) into 17 turnovers on the night. A-State out-rebounded Little Rock 42-35, including a season-high 20 offensive rebounds.
Taryn Todd led the Scarlet and Black with 17 points, tying his career high with three makes from deep. Kobe Julien added 16 points and a career-high six steals, while making 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Derrian Ford scored 11 points, connecting on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Including Todd and Ford, four different players hit three treys for the Red Wolves as Avery Felts and Joseph Pinion both connected on a trio of triples for nine points each off the bench.
Terrance Ford Jr. guided the A-State offense to the tune of seven assists to just two turnovers, while scoring seven points of his own. Rashaud Marshall led all players with 11 rebounds, tying his career high, including four on the offensive glass.
Little Rock led by as much as four midway through the first half, but the Red Wolves used a 9-0 run capped by a Todd layup to reclaim a 27-22 lead with 3:23 left. A-State ended the half on a 15-5 run to take a 33-27 advantage into intermission.
Todd (9 points) and Julien (8) combined for 17 of the Red Wolves' 33 first-half points, while Julien had five steals in the opening 20 minutes.
The Red Wolves pushed their lead out to 15 when Justin Johnson scored off a steal to make it 49-34 with 15:27 to play, but the Trojans heated up and made seven consecutive baskets to pull within three after a three-point play from Mwani Wilkinson, who led all players with 20 points.
However, A-State would not let the visitors come any closer, as Pinion capped a 12-2 stretch with a trey to make it 65-52 with 8:10 remaining. Another Pinion three made it a 16-point contest with 4:37 to play, and then the Red Wolves closed out the contest strong, ending the night on a three by Felts to cement the final margin.
NEXT UP
Arkansas State continues its three-game home stand Saturday, hosting Stephen F. Austin. Tip-off against the Lumberjacks is slated for 2 p.m. inside First National Bank Arena, and the game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State men's basketball program, follow @AStateMB on Twitter/X and @astatemb on Instagram, while also liking the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateMB.
