Lindsey has career-high 27, Arkansas St win Sun Belt opener

Jan 1, 2017, 04:55 pm

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Rashad Lindsey scored a career-high 27 points and Donte Thomas hit a crucial free throw with 12 seconds left to lift Arkansas State to a 74-71 win over Louisiana Lafayette on Saturday night in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Trailing by three, Justin Miller hit a pair of free throws for the Ragin' Cajuns to cut the deficit to 72-71 with 3:27 left. But from there Louisiana Lafayette went ice cold, going scoreless on its final seven possessions including 0-5 from the field and 0-2 at the line.

Lindsey made a free throw to make it 73-71, and Thomas added the final point with 12 seconds left. Louisiana Lafayette still had a final shot to tie, but Bryce Washington missed from deep.

Thomas finished with 12 points for Arkansas State (10-4, 1-0)

Miller led the Louisiana Lafayette (10-4, 0-1) with 16 points.