PHOTO COURTESY OF A-STATE ATHLETICS

The Arkansas State Red Wolves faced the University of Connecticut Huskies in their first NCAA tournament appearance. The Red Wolves lost to the Huskies 103-34. 

After UConn point guard  Paige Bueckers missed her first shot, Arkansas State rebounded and guard Crislyn Rose scored the first bucket of the game. 

UConn proceeded to go on a 22-0  run until guard Kyanna Morgan made a three pointer as the final points A-State scored during the quarter. The Red Wolves finished the first quarter down 34-5. 

The Red Wolves scored early in the second quarter. Guard Wynter Rogers made a jumper and was assisted by Rose. 

Rose and guard Bella Weary scored with six minutes to go in the second quarter. Wynter Rogers made both of her free throws with 1:44 left before halftime. Just like in the Sun Belt Championship, forward Anna Griffin scored a buzzer beater three, sending the Red Wolves into halftime down 66-16. 

UConn and A-State traded points coming out of halftime, Wynter Rogers scored a jumper followed by Crislyn Rose 30 seconds later. The Red Wolves didn’t score again until there were 42 seconds left  in the third quarter, with guard Kennedie Montue scoring a three going into the final quarter.

The Red Wolves scored the second points of the fourth quarter two minutes in. Guard Shaunae Brown scored a three before A-State got the ball back after a defensive rebound and a foul on UConn. Guard Zyion Shannon went to the free throw line and made both.

Weary stole the ball from UConn and Morgan made a jumper off of it. The Red Wolves would score one more time in the game, a three by guard Mimi McCollister at the buzzer from the UConn logo. 

The Red Wolves lost 34-103, a 69 point deficit. 

The Red Wolves were 12-70 on field goals, 6-40 on threes and 4-4 on free throws. A-State did well rebounding the ball with 31 on the game, 13 offensive and 18 defensive.

Crislyn Rose scored the most points of the Red Wolves roster with seven throughout the game. Rose also had two assists during the game. 

Wynter Rogers had the most rebounds with four, three of which were defensive.  

While the NCAA tournament journey has been cut short, the Arkansas State Red Wolves had a season to be proud of. After starting off expected to be second to last in conference, they made it to the postseason, in the form of the NCAA tournament. 

Destinee Rogers will return with the Red Wolves next season to build on an already impressive A-State basketball team.

Categories: Sports