Arkansas State (4-4) Loses Monday at South Dakota State, Faces Memphis Wednesday

Arkansas State’s Win Streak Snapped By South Dakota State, 84-78
Courtesy: ArkansasState
Release: 11/27/2006

Isaac Wells had 18 points vs. South Dakota State

BROOKINGS, S.D. (11/27/06) — Arkansas State’s four-game win streak came to a halt as the Indians lost 84-78 to South Dakota State here Monday night. ASU now stands 4-4 overall while the Jackrabbits posted their first victory on the year and are 1-6.

After opening 0-3 at the Cox Classic in Virginia, the Tribe had won four straight before making the long trip to South Dakota.

“They shot the lights out and we had no answer,” said ASU Head Coach Dickey Nutt. “Their games had been on the road and this was their first home game. They are a good team, solid and well-coached.”

In spite of several strong performances by the Indians, ASU was outrebounded 39-28 and faltered at the free throw line hitting only 7-15.

“We talked about free throws and rebounding before the game,” said Nutt. “When you can’t hit free throws and rebound, you have disaster and that’s what we had tonight. Our energy just wasn’t there.”

Nutt wasn’t totally dissatisfied with his team’s showing, however. He was pleased with the play of Isaac Wells who led the Indians in scoring with 18 points and nine rebounds, one rebound short of posting his fourth double-double this season. Adrian Banks scored 16 points and Chris Brown had 12.

“We had some good performances,” continued Nutt. “We had some good things happen. Ryan Wedel handled the ball almost to perfection. And, Adrian did a good job. He just got started a little too late.”

Wells got things starting by hitting a couple of three’s and Brown added three straight jumpers. Banks hit his first trey for the night seconds before halftime to put Arkansas State just three points down, 39-36. The two schools traded baskets in the second half when Banks hit a big three to knot the score, 78-all with under a minute to play.

SDSU’s Matt Cadwell answered with a three of his own with 40 seconds left. The Indians missed on a couple of long three’s late and had to foul. Cadwell led South Dakota State with 23 points and Michael Loney added 16 along with 11 boards.

ASU has a short turnaround as the Tribe travels to Memphis Wednesday to face 12th-ranked Memphis. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at the FedEx Forum.