For the first time in nearly two weeks, the Arkansas State Women’s basketball did not post a triple digit score, as they lost in a close game to the Xavier Musketeers.

The Red Wolves let the game get away from them in the first two quarters. By halftime, the Musketeers had an 11-point lead on A-State, with a score of 23-12. By the way the Musketeers were playing, the Red Wolves had multiple chances to win the game. A-State managed to win the turnover battle, committing 24 to Xavier’s 25, and the Red Wolves scored 24 points on turnovers compared to a mere nine points from the Musketeers.

Xavier’s lead began to slip in the second half. The Red Wolves fought back and tied the game three times in the second half, but somehow never managed to take a lead, as the Musketeers kept just good enough of a pace to keep the lead. While the Red Wolves started off on a 9-0 run, the Musketeers were able to respond with some well shot threes.

The Red Wolves also won the second-chance points battle, but not by much, getting 8 to Xavier’s 7. A-State was outpaced in the paint, however, as well as the simple fact that the Red Wolves could not score enough to gain a lead. 

The Musketeers managed to beat the Red Wolves in bench points, which is unusual this season for opponents of the Red Wolves. Coach Destinee Rogers new offensive style involves replacing the entire lineup on the court with bench players in order to save energy and keep the team energetic. But Xavier still outscored A-State 18-16 in bench points.

Guard Mimi McCollister led the Red Wolves in scoring with 9 points, including two successful three-pointers, which was also the most for the Red Wolves. Forward Anna Griffin tied to lead the Red Wolves in rebounds with 5, along with forward Nissa Sam-Grant. Sam-Grant also led in offensive rebounds. Griffin also grabbed three steals, tied for the lead with guard Zyion Shannon.

With the loss, the Red Wolves fall to 2-2, and are currently seventh in the Sun Belt. A-State will travel to Fayetteville to play the Arkansas Razorbacks, who are currently 3-2, with losses to Fairfield and UCLA.

The game will be on  Sunday, Nov. 24

Categories: Sports