Thursday’s Scores from the Sun Belt

A full slate of games last night in the Sun Belt Conference, with the home teams winning four of the six games.  You can read the highlights of the Louisiana-Georgia State game here.

ARKANSAS STATE 66, SOUTH ALABAMA 65--In Jonesboro, Ty Cockfield scored 22 points, including a pair of free throws with :06 left to keep Arkansas State (8-8, 2-1 Sun Belt) unbeaten (6-0) at First National Bank Arena.

Marquis Eaton added 18 points for the Red Wolves, while South Alabama (9-7, 2-1) was led by Rodrick Sikes with 24 points.

Arkansas State held the Jaguars to 39% shooting and out rebounded the visitors by 13 in the contest.

LITTLE ROCK 73, TROY 59--Marquis Nowell scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half as Little Rock (6-10, 1-2 Sun Belt) got its first conference win playing at home in the Jack Stephens Center.

The Trojans held Troy (8-7, 1-2) to just 39 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers, as Little Rock used a 20-4 run early in the second half to break open a close game.

Jordan Varnado had 26 points and 11 rebounds for Troy.  Rayjon Tucker scored 14 in a supporting role for Little Rock, his 15th straight double figure performance.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN 79, ULM 78--Quan Jackson buried a three pointer from the corner as time expired, giving the Eagles (10-6, 2-1 Sun Belt) the dramatic win.

After Daishon Smith hit a pair of free throws with :04 left, Georgia Southern's Tookie Brown dribbled the length of the court and whipped the pass to Jackson, who hit the game winner.  Brown led Georgia Southern with 22 points and seven assists.  Isaiah Crawley had a double double with 17 points and 12 rebounds,  Jackson finished with 12 points and Montae Glenn, back from an injury, pitched in with 10 points in 20 minutes.

Smith led ULM (9-6, 2-1) with 27 points, while Michael Ertel added 22.  ULM led by eleven points at the half and led by as many as 14 in the second half before the Eagles started their comeback.

UTA 82, APPALACHIAN STATE 72---The Mavericks opened the second half on an 11-0 run to erase a four point halftime deficit and led by as many as 14 in the second half.

UTA (5-11, 1-2 Sun Belt) used sharp shooting in the second half to secure the win, hitting 7-9 from three point range after intermission.  Brian Warren scored 20 points to lead the Mavs, while David Azore had a double double with 16 points and eleven rebounds.

Appalachian State (5-11, 0-3) was outrebounded 43-27 in the contest and shot under 40% for the gam.  Isaac Johnson and Ronshad Shabazz each scored 16 points for the Mountaineers, who lost at home for the first time this season.

TEXAS STATE 65, COASTAL CAROLINA 61--Alex Peacock scored 13 points and Nijal Pearson added 12 in a balanced scoring attack as Texas State (13-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) picked up the road win.

The Bobcats held Coastal Carolina to 39 percent shooting and the Chanticleers (7-8, 1-2) hit just 3-19 from three point range.  Zac Cuthbertson led CCU with 16 points, while Tommy Burton added 14.

Coastal had an early eight point lead, but the Bobcats roared back to take a nine point lead at the half.  Texas State stretched the lead in the second half before Coastal rallied late.