Red Wolves Fall to South Alabama in Overtime Thriller
Arkansas State battled into overtime with South Alabama for the second time this season Saturday afternoon but came up short in a 92-88 loss inside First National Bank Arena.
The Red Wolves dropped to 16-11 overall and 7-7 in Sun Belt Conference play, while the Jaguars improved to 19-7 and 9-4 in league action.
Junior guard Christian Harmon delivered a career performance, pouring in 33 points to match the highest single-game total by a Red Wolf this season. His output tied Chandler Jackson’s 33-point effort against Missouri State on Nov. 11. Jackson added 13 points and a team-high seven assists, while TJ Caldwell chipped in 11.
On the glass, Jalen Hampton pulled down a career-best 16 rebounds, and Aly Tounkara added 15 boards as Arkansas State controlled much of the rebounding battle.
As a team, the Red Wolves shot 26-of-65 (40 percent) from the field and 16-of-41 (39 percent) from three-point range. The 16 made three-pointers tied for the sixth-most in program history. Arkansas State also converted 20-of-30 free throws.
South Alabama jumped out to an 11-3 lead early, but Harmon ignited a 16-0 run with eight points, including two three-pointers, to give A-State an eight-point advantage midway through the first half. The Jaguars trimmed the margin to four, but the Red Wolves responded with timely outside shooting and free throws to maintain control.
Harmon continued his hot shooting down the stretch of the half, knocking down his sixth three-pointer before the break to give Arkansas State a 41-32 lead at halftime.
South Alabama chipped away in the second half, outscoring the Red Wolves 18-12 over the first eight minutes to cut the deficit to one possession. Arkansas State answered with back-to-back baskets and Harmon’s seventh triple of the game to build a 60-50 advantage. The lead reached its peak at 75-57 with 6:34 remaining.
Momentum shifted quickly as the Jaguars mounted a rally. A 6-0 run cut the margin to 12, and a 10-0 surge later trimmed the lead to 77-75. Hampton’s second-chance dunk slowed the comeback, and Arkansas State extended its lead to six at the free-throw line.
South Alabama responded again, and a four-point play tied the game at 83-83 in the closing seconds to force overtime.
In the extra period, the Jaguars outscored the Red Wolves 6-2 before Harmon connected on a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining. Arkansas State, however, could not find another basket before time expired.
Up Next
Arkansas State travels to Louisiana on Thursday, Feb. 14, for a 7 p.m. matchup inside the Cajundome.