BEAUMONT, Texas -- Melvin Johnson III dropped his first eight 3-pointers to finish with a season-best 26 points as Arkansas State defeated Lamar 95-89 on Saturday night.

Johnson finished 8 of 9 from 3-point range (9-12 overall), and rained five 3s as the Red Wolves bolted away after halftime. He had four straight 3s during Arkansas State's 20-6 run that blew a tight game open from 49-43 at the break.

Johnson's career-high is 29 points in an NCAA first-round game in March 2011.

Amos Wilson scored a season-high 20 points, and hit six of Lamar's first seven in the game, only to have Arkansas State take off on a 14-7 run.

The Cardinals (1-7), looking to win their first regular-season home game, answered with a 19-8 run of their own to close the first half, coming to within four, 47-43, at the break. Rhon Mitchell and Nimrod Hilliard scored 17 each for Lamar.