The hard working A-State events staff, led by the intrepid Brad Bobo, distributed a white and red “hard hat” shirt throughout the entire lower bowl of First National Bank Arena, ensuring that there would be no mistake that tonight was, indeed, a Stripe Out. Events like this don’t always gel in Jonesboro, but on a night when the Red Wolves would be seen on ESPN 2, everyone was game to participate. One of the largest crowds in recent memories had come to see Arkansas State take on Appalachian State, and they were willing to wear a free t-shirt to boot.

The game itself opened with a Joseph Pinion layup, and the Red Wolves didn’t relinqish the lead until 8:37 left in the first half. Kobe Julian too back the lead with the team’s first three ball.

Appalachian State has size under the basket, starting with 6’11” CJ Huntley and finishing with dual-loads Jalil Beaubrun and Luke Wilson. (The 6’9″ Beaubrun would lead the Mountaineers at the half with 14 points on 6/7 shooting). The Mountaineers’ Trio of Bigs made points in the paint a punishing experience for the Red Wolves, who didn’t flinch at the assignment. Arkansas State would score 16 of its 30 first half points in the paint, led by Kobe Julien’s 17.

Arkansas State was only two for 12 at the three-point arc, but the Mountaineers laid a goose egg: zero for eleven attempts. The Red Wolves also held Appalachian State’s standout guard Myles Tate to just two first half points. It was clear that two of the best defensive squads in the Sun Belt were on the court tonight. Seventy points seemed the magic number when the two teams reappeared on the hardwood.

Three pointers from Terrence Ford and Joe Pinion bumped the lead to 11 points early in the second half. The lead increased to 13, with the Red Wolves looking ready to break out. However, Myles Tate and CJ Huntley, dormant for most of the game) suddenly woke up, scoring nine unanswered points and forcing Arkansas State to gather themselves in a time out.

The Mountaineers brought The Zone. The Red Wolves brought the pressure. Every bucket made earned a contusion. Free throws became the game’s most valuable currency. Every blow from the whistle earned a crescendo of boos or a cacophony of righteous cheers from the turnt-up crowd. Joe Pinion buried a three from deep to nudge the lead to 8, and the striped crowd was officially stoked.

The game wasn’t officially over, but it was kind of over nonetheless – there was just too much striped energy for the Mountaineers to overcome. Nobody made it to seventy points (the defense was just too dope), but Arkansas State did come away with a ten point, 65-55 victory over a very good Mountaineers team. Julien had 18 points, and Zay Nelson finished with 10 points and seven rebounds (0/1 from the three point line). After a slow start. the Mountaineers CJ Huntley led all scorers with 22.

“I thought we played a 40 minute basketball game,” said head coach Bryan Hodgson after the game. “Appalachian State is a great team, and Coach Kern does a good job.”

When asked about the defensive effort, Terrence Ford explained, “Defense is nothing but heart.”

As for Zay Nelson’s three point attempt? Coach Hodgson took a dim view of it. A dim view.

PHOTO CREDIT: Arkansas State