UALR Shocks Georgia State; Arkansas State, ULM, Texas State, Georgia Southern Also Win

Louisiana had the night off from Sun Belt play on Thursday, but you can bet they were doing some scoreboard watching.  And, while the Cajuns got a little help in their quest for a bye in the first round of the league tournament, they still have to play the two Arkansas schools who have suddenly awakened from their season-long slumber, as Arkansas-Little Rock stunned the league co-leaders and Arkansas State got revenge for a bad whipping earlier in the season.

UALR 92, GEORGIA STATE 83--The Trojans celebrated senior night in a big way, upsetting the defending regular season champions at the Jack Stephens Center.  UALR (13-15, 8-10) scorched the nets, shooting 50% from the floor and hitting 14-30 from the three point line.  The Trojans had five players in double figures, with J. T. Thomas and Mareik Isom leading the way with 17 points each, while J. T. Thomas and James Reid each scored 16 and Josh Hagins chipped in ten.  Ryan Harrow and R. J. Hunter combined for 43 points for the Panthers (19-9, 12-5) , who lost despite shooting a perfect 21-21 from the line.  But the Panthers shot just 4-16 beyond the arc.  The win was the third straight for UALR, which moved into sixth place with the victory.

ARKANSAS STATE 81, UT ARLINGTON 80--In Jonesboro, Anthony Livingston had a career night with 31 points and 15 rebounds to give A-State a measure of revenge for a 27 point loss to the Mavericks earlier in the season.  Livingston scored the game winner on a putback with 13 seconds remaining.  Frederick Dure scored 20 points, including five three pointers to help the Red Wolves (11-15, 6-11) to the win.  Erick Neal and Jamel Outler each scored 21 for the Mavericks (15-12, 9-8).  Neal had hit a three point basket with :32 left to give UTA the lead.  The loss dropped the Mavs a full game behind Louisiana for the fourth spot in the league.  It was the second straight win for Arkansas State, who upset co-leader UL Monroe on Saturday.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN 77, APPALACHIAN STATE 58---In Boone, NC, Georgia Southern remained tied for first place by sweeping the season series against the Mountaineers.  The Eagles (20-6, 13-4) took a sixteen point lead at halftime and were never threatened in the second half.  Angel Matias led Georgia Southern with 15 points, while Trent Wiederman added 12.  Frank Eaves tallied 15 points for App State (9-17, 6-11) which dropped its fifth straight game.  The Mountaineers are not eligible for the league tournament.

UL MONROE 75, SOUTH ALABAMA 57--In Mobile, Justin Roberson scored 18 points and Majok Deng added 14 points and 13 rebounds as the Warhawks (19-9, 13-4) remained in a first place tie in the league.  Tylor Ongwae also scored 14 for Keith Richard's club.  South Alabama (9-20, 7-11) trailed by eight at the half and cut the lead to three before the ULM defense held the Jaguars nearly four minutes without scoring to pull away.  The Jaguars were led by Ken Williams with 21 points, but shot just .388 as a team.

TEXAS STATE 67, TROY 61---Texas State had lost four straight and nine out of ten, but bounced back as Emani Gant had a a double double, while Kavin Gilder-Tilbury scored 13 as the Bobcats (12-14, 6-11) got the win.  Ojai Black hit three free throws in the final :32 seconds to ice the win.  The loss could have been the nail in the coffin for Troy (10-17, 5-13) who fell two games behind Texas State and Arkansas State in the loss column.