JONESBORO, Ark. (10/26/24) – Derrian Ford led the way with 21 points on Saturday inside First National Bank Arena, helping lead the Arkansas State men’s basketball team to a 78-71 exhibition victory against Trevecca Nazarene.
Ford’s effort came on 9-of-14 shooting in 33 minutes, as the Red Wolves shot 53.1 percent in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit. Taryn Todd added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists on the day, while Kobe Julien tacked on 13 points.
A-State forced the Trojans into 22 turnovers, resulting in 34 points. The Red Wolves shot 40.8 percent (29-71) for the contest and went 12-for-14 (85.7 percent) at the foul line.
The visitors got off to a hot start early, leading by as much as 14, but Julien spearheaded a 9-0 run to pull the Scarlet and Black within five with 6:07 left in the half. With under 2 minutes remaining in the half, Ford capped a 10-0 run with a bucket to level the score at 30-all. The Trojans ended the half with seven unanswered points to lead 37-30 at intermission.
Ford ignited the Red Wolves out of the break with four straight points to make it 37-34. Trevecca pushed its lead back out to six with 15 minutes to go, but Julien drilled a trey that sparked a 7-0 scoring stretch that put A-State ahead 49-48.
After Jalen Page scored two of his game-high 22 points put the Trojans back ahead by two, Joseph Pinion knocked down a 3-pointer as part of another 7-0 run that moved the Red Wolves back ahead, this time for good. Down the stretch, A-State answered Trevecca’s scores to maintain a two-possession lead. Inside the final minute, Julien and Avery Felts converted at the foul stripe to conclude the contest.
NEXT UP
Arkansas State begins the regular season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4, hosting reigning MAC Tournament champion Akron.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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