JONESBORO, Ark. (2/3/22) – The Arkansas State men’s basketball team got a game-high 23 points and arena-record 26 rebounds from Norchad Omier, but ULM hit a game-winning three pointer with 17 seconds remaining to hand the Red Wolves a 60-59 setback in Sun Belt Conference action Thursday night at First National Bank Arena.
 
Omier collected his 10th consecutive double-double and was joined in double figures by Keyon Wesley, who finished with a season-high 14 points, to lead Arkansas State (14-6, 5-3).  The outing marked the first time in six games that the Red Wolves didn’t have at least three players reach double digits in the scoring column.
 
A-State finished with nine more rebounds than ULM (11-12, 3-8), but shot just 36 percent in comparison to the Warhawks’ .434 mark from the field.
 
A-State held a 29-26 halftime advantage and scored 10 of the first 12 points coming out of the break to take its first double digit lead at 39-28.  The Red Wolves extended their lead to as much as 14 points twice in the second half before the Warhawks mounted their comeback.
 
Leading 48-34 with exactly 12 minutes remaining, the Red Wolves saw ULM mount an 11-0 run to pull within 48-45 at the 8:31 mark.  A-State was able to maintain a slight lead, however, until the final minute of the contest.
 
With 41 seconds left on the clock, sophomore guard Caleb Fields hit a free throw to give the Red Wolves a 59-57 lead, but ULM’s Nika Metskhvarishvili connected on a three pointer on the Warhawks next possession to set the final score.  A-State got off a couple of shots in the final seconds, including a highly-contest three by Fields as time expired, but neither found the mark.
 
ULM was led by two players scoring in double figures as well, including Andre Jones with a team-high 21 points.  Koreem Ozier added 14 for the Warhawks.
 
The Red Wolves remain at home for their next contest, hosting Louisiana on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 4:00 p.m.  For the latest on A-State men’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@AStateMB), Facebook (/AStateMB) and Instagram (@astatemb).

Original article source: https://astateredwolves.com/news/2022/2/3/mens-basketball-red-wolves-drop-60-59-decision-versus-ulm.aspx | Article may or may not reflect the views of KLEK 102.5 FM or The Voice of Arkansas Minority Advocacy Council