In Mobile, up 72-71 in the waning seconds against South Alabama, Red Wolves guard Derrian Ford, who was then 0-for-3 at the three-point line, passed up an open three-point shot to attempt a drive to the rim. Ford lowered his round shoulders into a sea of Jaguars, puncturing into the paint. But the layup fell just a bit short, and South Alabama recovered the ball.
On the sideline, Coach Bryan Hodgson took a decidedly dim view of the shot selection, and he made his opinion known to Ford, who was retreating on defense.
The next possession, Ford again found himself open along the perimeter. He let loose a three – and nailed it. Moments later, the Red Wolves would celebrate a 75-72 victory, with Ford’s bucket making all the difference.
The Red Wolves (who benefited early from a 16-point burst from bursty guard Taryn Todd) surrendered various leads and various times in the second half, with Arkansas State first having difficulty breaking the Jaguars’ zone defense, then having significant trouble stopping South Alabama’s 6’5″ senior guard Samuel Tabe, who would finish with a game high 35 points. But while things may fall apart, the center held for the Red Wolves, with Ford delivering the dagger and surging A-State forward Izaiyah Nelson denying soup at the rim (he’d finish with 15 boards and five blocked shots). It was the kind of victory seasoned teams deliver – on the road against an opponent who refused to go away quietly.
Along with a resounding 82-71 victory over the Trojans in Troy, the two game road trip is Arkansas State’s most successful to date. After all, before Troy and South Alabama, the Red Wolves had recorded just two away victory all season. The victories demonstrated that these Red Wolves – battled hardened by one of the toughest out-of-conference schedules in recent memory – are ready to excel beyond the familiar shooter’s sight lines of First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro.
More that than that, the Red Wolves carry with them the necessary momentum to perform well in the soon-to-come Sun Belt Conference tournament in Pensacola. Arkansas State has won five of its las six meetings and will play its next two games at home, the first a rematch against Troy on Thursday, to be televised on ESPNU (the Red Wolves first nationally televised game since 1997.) A victory brings A-States overall record to .500, quite a milestone for first year head coach Bryan Hodgson, who began the season 4-8.
Ford’s clutch three to ice the South Alabama game is indicative of the Red Wolves’ maturation as a team – from staff to players. Hodgson knew Ford was capable of nailing the shot, and Ford was unflappable when the second chance presented itself. Nelson, playing with four fouls and who had personally witnessed Tabe blow past the Red Wolves defense for multiple lay-ups, maintained composure and provided the impregnable defense when it mattered most. Freddy Hicks, rusty with inaction, delivered the bruising business in the paint, and a banged-up Dyondre Dominguez chipped in twelve gritty points (including a pair of timely threes).
Despite the injuries, we’re seeing the winning elements bind together within these Red Wolves. Whether having to make up points at halftime (as it was with Troy), or holding off a relentless advance (as it was with South Alabama), Arkansas State has found the rare wherewithal to weather challenges and put games away.
Now let’s put 5K in F’N Bank Stadium on Thursday.
IMAGE: Mine
Howlraiser 