SUN BELT MEN
ARKANSAS STATE 93,
APPALACHIAN STATE 88
Deven Simms made four free throws in the final seconds and finished with 23 points as Arkansas State University sprinted to an early lead but had to fend off a late rally by Appalachian State at Boone, N.C.
Arkansas State (8-14, 3-6 Sun Belt Conference) dominated early to take a 56-32 halftime lead. The Red Wolves were up 75-51 midway in the second half before Appalachian State (9-14, 4-6) rallied to close to 86-81 with 42 seconds remaining. Ronshad Shabazz scored 17 of his 27 points in the final 8:30 to spearhead the rally.
COASTAL CAROLINA 72,
UALR 62
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock shot 27.6 percent from the field in the second half and lost to Coastal Carolina at Conway, S.C.
UALR (5-17, 2-7 Sun Belt Conference) was 8 of 29 from the floor in the second half, finishing 21 of 55 (38.2 percent). Ryan Pippins led the Trojans with a career-high 15 points. Andre Jones added 12 points and six rebounds.
Coastal Carolina (10-13, 4-6) was led by Amidou Bamba, who scored 18 points. Jaylen Shaw had 13 points and Ajay Sanders added 11.
SOUTHLAND MEN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 95,
NW (LA.) STATE 78
Jordan Howard scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half as the University of Central Arkansas sprinted to an early lead and coasted to a victory over Northwestern (La.) State at Natchitoches, La.
Howard had a career-best 43 points when Central Arkansas knocked off Stephen F. Austin 100-92 on Wednesday night.
UCA’s Mathieu Kamba finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Hayden Koval added 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Deandre Jones had 12 points with 5 assists.
The Bears shot 59 percent from the floor in the first half and finished 35 of 63 (55.6 percent).
Central Arkansas (12-11, 6-4 Southland Conference) never trailed, taking a 54-30 lead into halftime.
Ishmael Lane had 28 points to lead Northwestern State (3-17, 0-9).
SWAC MEN
GRAMBLING STATE 69, UAPB 68
Ivy Smith Jr. scored 18 points to help Grambling State (9-12, 5-3) hand host University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (7-15, 7-1) its first Southwestern Athletic Conference loss of the season.
UAPB won its first seven SWAC games of the season after going 0-14 in nonconference play.
Charles Jackson led the Golden Lions with 14 points. Travon Harper added 10 points.
SUN BELT WOMEN
UALR 51,
COASTAL CAROLINA 49
A baseline basket by Ronjanae DeGray with one second remaining helped the University of Arkansas at Little Rock defeat Coastal Carolina at Conway, S.C. UALR (12-9, 9-0 Sun Belt Conference) has won nine consecutive games.
DeGray finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Keanna Keys led the Trojans with 14 points and had 2 steals and 5 rebounds. Monique Town-son had 10 points and 2 steals.
Jas Adams led the Chanticleers (11-10, 5-5) with 14 points.
APPALACHIAN STATE 68,
ARKANSAS STATE 66
Akasha Westbrook and Jada Ford each scored 17 points, but Arkansas State University (10-10, 5-4) Sun Belt Conference) lost to Appalachian State (6-15, 4-6) at Boone, N.C.
With 1.3 seconds remaining, Westbrook drove to the basket and released a shot attempt and she was fouled on the play as time expired. Officials reviewed the play and determined the foul occurred after time had expired and that ASU would not get to shoot free throws, giving Coastal Carolina the victory.
Payton Tennison had 10 points for the Red Wolves. Lauren Bradshaw finished with six blocks.
Appalachian State was led by Lainey Gosnell’s 18 points. Bayley Plummer and Tierra Wilson each had 12 points.
SOUTHLAND WOMEN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 61,
NW (LA.) STATE 53
Kamry Orr scored 16 points to lead the University of Central Arkansas (15-6, 8-2 Southland Conference) past Northwestern State (6-14, 1-8) at Natchitoches, La.
UCA trailed 43-41 entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Northwestern State 20-10 to rebound from a loss Wednesday at Stephen F. Austin.
Taylor Baudoin had 14 points, Antonija Bozic finished with 12 points and Kierra Jordan added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Jocelyn Scott led Northwestern State with 13 points. Victoria Miller had 12 points.
SWAC WOMEN
GRAMBLING STATE 66,
UAPB 57
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff lost its seventh consecutive game, falling to Grambling State at Pine Bluff. Shakyla Hill (Little Rock Hall) and Monisha Neal each scored 11 points to lead Grambling. Alexus Williams added 10 points.
Aiya Hasson had a game-high 15 points for UAPB. Shawntayla Harris finished with 12 points.