ASU Falls At North Texas As Winning Streak Ends

Courtesy Arkansas State University Athletics Department

DENTON, Texas (2/28/13) – A four-game winning streak held by the Arkansas State University men’s basketball team came to an abrupt end as the Red Wolves were handed a one-sided 74-50 loss by North Texas this Thursday (Feb. 28) evening in a matchup of Sun Belt Conference (SBC) West Division foes at UNT’s The Super Pit in Denton, Texas. 

Arkansas State, which falls to 18-10 overall and 12-7 in the SBC’s West Division, received a season-high 18 points from senior guard Marcus Hooten. Junior guard Ed Townsel was the only other ASU player to score in double figures with 14 points off the bench. 

“We came out flat and we’re poor in every aspect of the game,” said ASU head coach John Brady. “We didn’t have the edge and it showed in a big way. We were lucky to not get beat by more (points) than we did. 

“I told our guys afterwards we have a chance for redemption this Saturday night at Arkansas-Little Rock,” added Brady.

The Red Wolves, who were held to a season-low 25 percent shooting (17-68) on the night and went made just one-of-23 three-point tries, faced an uphill battle from the outset. A Marcus Hooten jumper to start the game was ASU’s only lead as North Texas scored the next eight straight points on its way to taking a 34-24 lead at the half. A-State struggled offensively in the opening 20 minutes, making good on only 21.2 percent (7-33) of its shots while the Mean Green converted on 42.9 percent (12-28) from the floor.

The shooting woes continued for the Red Wolves in the second half as ASU went 10-for-35 shooting (28.6%) and North Texas managed to hit at a 54.2 percent (13-24) clip. Arkansas State would trail by double digits throughout the stanza and would draw no closer than 11 points midway through the half with the last one coming with 11:16 left at 51-40 on a layup by Ed Townsel, who accounted for A-State’s lone three ball in the contest.

While ASU couldn’t shot the ball well from the floor, the Red Wolves managed to do so at the free-throw line by making 15-of-17 at the stripe for an 88.2 percent success rate. A-State also was effective in points off turnovers (17-8) and in bench scoring (20-10).

The Mean Green, which ended the contest with a 48.1 percent (25-52) field goal percentage, would claim a 45-38 advantage on the boards. Senior guard Trey Finn’s nine rebounds was tops for A-State, which also received eight boards, including seven offensive, from junior forward Kendrick Washington. UNT also contained senior forward Brandon Peterson, holding the ASU big man scoreless with no rebounds in the game. Peterson played a season-low 15 minutes before fouling out. 

North Texas, which won for third time in its last four games, closed out its regular season at 12-19 overall with a 7-13 mark in the SBC’s West Division. The Mean Green had four starters crack the double-digit scoring column as the Williams, Alzee and Jordan, tallied 19 and 16 points, respectively. Tony Mitchell, the 2012-13 SBC Preseason Player of the Year, notched a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to go with three blocked shots.

Arkansas State concludes its 2012-13 regular season this Saturday (March 2) night as the Red Wolves go up against instate rival UALR Trojans in a Sun Belt Conference South Division showdown at Little Rock, Ark. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) at UALR’s Jack Stephens Center. The game can be heard live on the EAB Sports Radio Network with Matt Stolz calling the action.

AStAte Notes: Marcus Hooten’s 18 points was a season high, bettering his 17 points set earlier this season at home versus Lamar (11/25) … Kendrick Washington’s seven offensive rebounds was a personal season game best, eclipsing his six offensive boards at FIU (11/29) … Brandon Peterson was held scoreless for only the second time this season. He didn’t register a point against North Texas (2/2), but managed 14 boards in the ASU home tilt … Trey Finn’s nine rebounds moved him into 11th place on A-State’s all-time rebounding leaders list, surpassing Jim Ward’s (1953-55) 650-career total. Finn has amassed 655 career rebounds in 118 games to date … Arkansas State’s bench has outscored the opposition’s reserves in seven of the Red Wolves’ last eight contests, which includes the past five outings to date … The Red Wolves 25 percent shooting for the game was a team season low, surpassing the 34.4 percent (22-64) set at home against North Texas (2/2) …