[November 10, 2008]

Southern Arkansas-Arkansas State box.pdf

By: Houston Taylor

JONESBORO, Ark. – Junior guard Mike Lance hit a three-pointer with a little over a second left to give Arkansas State a 59-58 comeback win over Southern Arkansas in the Muleriders’ only exhibition game of the season Monday at the Convocation Center.

SAU held its largest lead of the game at 21-10 in the first half before settling for a 32-27 advantage at the break. They held a six-point advantage through the first eight minutes of the second half before taking a nine-point lead at 53-44 with 7:03 left to play. The Division I Red Wolves then responded with an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to take their first lead, 55-53 at 2:07, since early in the game.

Southern Arkansas sophomore guard David Noble then connected on the last of his five three-pointers to put the Muleriders back in front, 56-55, at 1:54. One of two free throws allowed ASU to tie it up with 44 seconds left, before junior guard Sanchez Dade got a rebound and put-back to push SAU ahead with seven ticks remaining. But Lance’s trey then sealed the win as Southern Arkansas’ desperation shot missed at the buzzer.

The Muleriders hit 6 of 9 treys in building their first half lead and finished 9 of 18 for the game for 50.0 percent. Arkansas State missed all nine of its three-pointers in the opening frame and shot just 10 of 32 (31.3) during that span.

SAU shot just 21 of 56 (37.5) for the night, and the Red Wolves were 22 of 62 (35.5). ASU hit only 2 of 20 (10.0) from downtown and was just 13 of 29 (44.8) from the free throw line. Southern Arkansas connected on 7 of 11 (63.6) at the charity stripe, getting tagged for 19 fouls to Arkansas State’s eight.

Noble led all players with 15 points, all threes, and played 40 minutes. Sophomore forward Justin Stuart had 12 points, and newcomer senior forward Charles Moore chipped in 11 and pulled down 11 rebounds, including five offensive.

Eric McKinney paced the Red Wolves with 11 points, JeJuan Brown finished with 10, and Shawn Morgan grabbed 13 rebounds. Lance had only a two-point field goal besides the game-winning three.

ASU defeated Henderson State, 93-46, in its only other exhibition game of the season a week ago.

The Muleriders open their regular season this weekend at the West Florida Hoop Classic in Pensacola. They face Nova Southeastern (Fla.) Saturday at 3 p.m., before squaring off against host West Florida on Sunday at 6 p.m.