Arkansas State edges Louisiana-Lafayette 71-69

Jan 9, 2016, 10:27 pm

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Devin Carter scored 25 points and Sean Gardner sank the winning layup to lift Arkansas State to a 71-69 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday night.

Arkansas State (8-7, 4-0 Sun Belt) led by as many as 12 before Louisiana-Lafayette stormed back in the second half, edging into a 66-64 lead on Johnathan Stove's jumper with 3:41 left. The score tied twice more, at 66 and 68, before Frederic Dure got an offensive rebound to set up the winning bucket by Gardner, who was fouled and made it a 3-point play with eight seconds left.

Shawn Long missed a 3-pointer at the other end and Donte Thomas hauled in the defensive rebound to cement the win.

Thomas finished with 20 points and Gardner had 13 for the Red Wolves, who won their fourth straight.

Long led Louisiana-Lafayette (5-8, 1-3) with 25 points and 15 rebounds.