SATURDAY’S STATE DIV. I BASKETBALL ROUNDUPS

UALR 91, TENNESSEE TECH 89

A 23-0 first-half run put the University of Arkansas-Little Rock in control early, and the Trojans hung on late at the Eblen Center in Cookeville, Tenn.

DeAntoni Gordon set a new career high with 25 points, adding nine rebounds, and Myron Gardner scored 21 for UALR (7-16, 3-7 Ohio Valley Conference) — marking Gardner’s fourth 20-plus-point outing of the season. But the Trojans’ 29-15 advantage midway through the first half all but vanished by the break as UALR led 40-39.

Tennessee Tech (10-13, 6-4) again went down 14 in the second half, trailing 82-68 with less than five minutes remaining. But a furious 19-6 run brought the Golden Eagles within one heading into the final 30 seconds.

That’s when Ethan Speaker delivered, tipping in an offensive rebound with 8.9 seconds left to put the Trojans up 90-87. Tennessee Tech missed a would-be game-winning three-pointer at the horn to give UALR its first road victory of the season.

UALR 66, TENNESSEE TECH 63

Sali Kourouma’s three-point play with 1.2 seconds remaining helped the University of Arkansas-Little Rock salvage a victory at Eblen Center on Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn., after Tennessee Tech came from down 12 early in the second half.

A 22-8 run over the final 7:20 of the third quarter put Tennessee Tech (13-7, 7-3 Ohio Valley Conference) up 47-45, and neither team led by more than three points in the fourth quarter.

But the Trojans held the Golden Eagles without a field goal over the final four-plus minutes — Tennessee Tech shot 3 of 13 in fourth quarter after starting 17 of -41 from the field. UALR (12-9, 9-1) was led by 19 points from Angelique Francis. Kourouma and freshman Faith Lee each added 14 points.

APPALACHIAN STATE 63, ARKANSAS STATE 51

Appalachian State pieced together 10-0 runs in both halves Saturday to power past Arkansas State at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, N.C.

The Red Wolves were down 14-4 a little more than five minutes into a game that they never led. Julian Lual knocked down a three-pointer with 1:24 until halftime, pulling Arkansas State (9-14, 1-9 Sun Belt Conference) within 29-25, but that was as close as the Red Wolves would get the rest of the way.

The Mountaineers scored 10 of the first 12 points out of halftime, stretching their advantage to 14. Terence Harcum led Appalachian State (13-10, 6-4) with 15 points.

Although Omar El-Sheikh collected his seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds, the Red Wolves dropped their ninth straight. It’s the first time since the end of the 2015-16 season that Arkansas State has lost nine consecutive Sun Belt games.

MARSHALL 71, ARKANSAS STATE 59

Holding Arkansas State to just 27.6% shooting from the field and 5 of 27 from beyond the arc, Marshall slipped past the Red Wolves at First National Bank Arena on Saturday in Jonesboro.

Earle native Roshala Scott posted a gamehigh 25 points, shooting 10 of 16, to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists to lead Marshall. ASU (6-15, 1-9 Sun Belt Conference) outrebounded the Thundering Herd 45-43 and pulled down 22 offensive boards, but converted them into only 15 second-chance points.

Marshall (12-9, 5-5) led by 12 in the first quarter, but the Red Wolves chipped their way back into contention, trailing 39-34 at halftime. The Thundering Herd then gradually stretched things out over the final 20 minutes, with ASU never getting closer than seven in the fourth quarter.

UAPB 88,

MISS. VALLEY STATE 72

Kylen Milton finished with 23 points and six assists as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff continued its ascent in Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a win over its long-time league foes in Pine Bluff.

Shaun Doss Jr. added 22 points while Caleb Stokes finished with 11 points for UAPB (1012, 6-3), which has won six of its past seven games and four in a row over Mississippi Valley State (2-21, 1-8). The Golden Lions led 39-27 at halftime and were up 67-45 with less than 10 minutes to go until the Delta Devils made a late push to get things closer.

UAPB also shot 85% (34 of 40) from the free-throw line and hit 12 of 24 (50%) threepoint shots in sending Mississippi Valley State to a fifth straight loss.

Terry Collins and Rayquan Brown both had 15 points for the Delta Devils. Tyronn Mosley scored 13 points, and Kadar Waller finished with 12 points.

UAPB 69,

MISS. VALLEY STATE 55

A crushing third quarter gave way to a huge victory for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at H.O. Clemmons Arena in Pine Bluff.

Maya Peat had 18 points and 13 rebounds to power UAPB (7-12, 5-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which was locked in a tight battle before outscoring Mississippi Valley State (2-18, 0-9) 25-8 during the first 10 minutes of the second half to open up a lead it wouldn’t give up. Coriah Beck added 15 points, and Jelissa Reese finished with 13 points for the Golden Lions.

Lexus Eagle Chasing collected 16 points, and Zaria Harleaux had 10 points for the Delta Devils.

The Golden Lions, who have won three consecutive games, also scored 22 points off 27 turnovers.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS 59, KENNESAW STATE 55

The University of Central Arkansas won its first game in three weeks Saturday, downing Kennesaw State at the KSU Convocation Center in Kennesaw, Ga.

Kierra Prim led UCA (7-13, 2-7 ASUN) with 16 points. Siera Carter, a Georgia native, had a season-high 15 points.

UCA took a 29-22 lead over Kennesaw State (9-11, 5-4) into halftime after holding it to 28.6% shooting in the second quarter.

The Sugar Bears held onto their lead to close the third quarter thanks to a last-second three-point shot from just inside half court by Kyjai Miles. It was Miles’ first three-pointer of the season, who also finished with 14 rebounds.

UCA was able to fend off a late Kennesaw State push by making 20 of 26 free throws.

Kennesaw State was led by Amani Johnson’s 17 points. Carly Hooks (15) and Prencis Harden (11) also reached double figures.