SUN BELT/GAC MEN
ARKANSAS STATE 87, HARDING 62
Guard Marquis Eaton scored a game-high 23 points as Arkansas State University had five players score 10 or more points Saturday in a victory over Harding University at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro.
Harding led for the first 15 minutes of the game, with its largest lead coming after a Gabriel Divic three-pointer for a 21-14 lead with 9:55 left in the half. Arkansas State slowly chipped away and tied the game at 27-27 with 4:54 remaining on an Eaton three-pointer.
The Bisons briefly retook the lead at 30-29 on a Collier Blackburn three-pointer with 4:08 left in the first half, but the Red Wolves went on a 15-2 lead to take a 44-32 halftime lead.
Arkansas State shot 50 percent (29 of 58) from the floor, including 9-of-14 shooting from the three-point line, and hit 20 of 31 free throws. Ty Cockfield had 18 points for the Red Wolves, while Salif Boudie had 14, Malik Brevard scored 12 and Kobe Wilson chipped in with 10.
Harding shot 34 percent (22 of 64) from the floor, hitting 10 of 29 three-pointers, and 8 of 14 free throws. Divic and Adam Horn led the Bisons with 13 points each, while Colin Hale added 11.
SWAC MEN
Troy 71,
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 63
Alex Hicks scored 18 points and collected 10 rebounds, and Troy won its fourth consecutive game by beating the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on Saturday in Troy, Ala.
It was Hicks' second consecutive double-double and third of the season. Jordon Varnado scored 15 points, and B.J. Miller and Charles Norman each scored 14 for Troy (7-5).
After a 37-37 halftime tie, the Golden Lions went on a 10-1 run and led 47-38 with 16:06 remaining. Troy gradually reduced the deficit, and after a layup from Miller, two three-pointers by Norman, a layup by Hicks and a Varnado jumper, the Trojans were on top 62-53.
Hicks capped the 12-0 run with a dunk with 3:29 left to play. The Trojans converted 8 of their last 10 shots while UAPB (3-10) missed 7 of its last 10.
Martaveous McKnight led the Golden Lions with 22 points, and Shaun Doss scored 10.
Sports on 12/30/2018