PHOTO COURTESY OF A-STATE ATHLETICS

The Red Wolves clawed their way back from a 16 point deficit in the first half to take an 86-85 win on the road against the Missouri State Bears. 

It was a battle until the end for the team, sealing the win with a defensive stop after Missouri State nabbed an offensive rebound to try to take the lead at the last second. It was also a rare Springfield win for the Red Wolves, as they had a 2-14 record there before the game. 

Starting off the first half, the Red Wolves looked like a disorganized mess. On the offense, plays were being executed but without any results at the basket, with the team shooting 37.5% from the field and an abysmal 9.1% from the three point line.

The defense was just as bad on the other side of the ball. Wide open shots on the wing were given up from risky double teams in the paint often. Even when defense was swarming inside, early foul trouble made them anxious to contest shots and allowed easy layups for the Bears.

Their biggest weakness during this period came in the forms of Bears guard Zaxton King and forward Michael Osei-Bonsu. 

Osei-Bonsu had his way in the paint, forcing his way to the basket and drawing double teams. He ended the game with a double-double at 21 points and 10 rebounds. While Osei-Bonsu had all of the defense’s attention, King was able to get into position on the perimeter and punish the defense for their lack of awareness, scoring 18 points on 7 of 9 from the field. The first half ended with a big Mo State lead of 46-33

After the beating they took from the Bears in the first half, the Red Wolves came out from the break with their rust shaken off. 

Their offense began to click on all cylinders, improving their shooting to 51.5% from the field and 36.4% from three on the half. They took advantage of Missouri State’s own foul troubles and attacked the paint constantly while their best rim protectors, forward Keith Palek III and Osei-Bonsu, were on the bench, helping to bring the game back into reach.

The biggest star of both this half and the game was Red Wolves guard Chandler Jackson, who ended the game with a career high 33 points. He shot an astounding 10-11 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc.

Ultimately, the game came down to the final five minutes where the Red Wolves narrowly pulled away with the win. 

After a costly contest at the rim caused Palek to foul out, the Red Wolves let loose upon Missouri State’s defense, with Jackson leading the charge. Jackson made multiple crucial shots from within the arc that helped the Red Wolves pull away, but a few unwise fouls against them gave Mo State the boost to make it a one point game. 

However, the Red Wolves held on and clamped down on the Bears on their last possession, guiding them to a well-earned victory on the road.

A-State improves their record to 2-1 on the season. They will finally return to Jonesboro for their first home game of the season. The Red Wolves are set to take on Christian Brothers on November 15.

Categories: Sports