It took a couple of attempts for the audio crew to adjust the announcer’s volume. The refs missed a number of infractions. Even the Higginbotham Family Dental t-shirt cannon had a few hiccups. And the Red Wolves started slow, down 18 to six with all six points belonging Derrian Ford layups. Eight minutes left in the half, the Red Wolves were still strangers to points, down 25-11 and 0-11 from the three point line.

A burst of scoring from Kobe Julien and Taryn Todd brought the score to within five, 25-20, but then the Red Wolves allowed a wide open three, committed a turnover and paid with a monster slam dunk to see the deficit return to double digits. It wasn’t until a shade under four minutes in the half before the Red Wolves finally nailed its first three – naturally from Derrian Ford.

The Red Wolves tied the score on a Josh Hill three-pointer and Darian Ford layup before the Trojans’ 6’11” center Caleb Terry took matters into his own hands, blocking shots, dunking monster slams and finishing the half with an uncontested three. Red Wolves jogged back to the locker room down 37-30.

“Not a great effort,” admitted Hodgson after the game. “We didn’t play good on either side of the ball.”

Second half opened with a Trevecca clearly enjoying the day and the Red Wolves obviously focused on righting the shift. With eight minutes left on the clock, Kobe Julian and Darian Ford had willed the team to a 60-55 lead, with guys like Dyondre Dominguez collecting those hard hat loose balls. Still Travecca wasn’t letting up, with 6’4″ guard Jalen Page (22 points) lighting up the scoreboard.

By the game’s conclusion, Arkansas State was simply too overpowering for Trevecca, who revealed themselves to be a talent team. Derrian Ford led the Red Wolves with 21 points, and Taryn Todd chipped in 17. Kobe Julian had 13 in his Red Wolves debut while Joseph Pinion added five.

“We have a ton of stuff to clean up before we have Akron here,” said Coach Hodgson.

The Red Wolves were without key members of the team. Izaiyah Nelson was wearing a walking boot. Terrance Ford, who is recovering from a significant ankle and foot injury, is said to be available for Akron. Nelson, who’s injury is said to be “not serious” is still being evaluated and may or may not play against Akron on November 4.

Dyondre Dominguez earned the team’s Hard Hat Award.

Final score: Arkansas State 78, Trevecca 71