Arkansas State downs Abilene Christian 83-69 (Nov 13, 2017)
JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) Deven Simms scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Arkansas State beat Abilene Christian 83-69 in its home opener on Monday night.
Ty Cockfield scored 18 points for the Red Wolves (1-1), who trailed briefly but used a 16-3 run sparked by Grantham Gillard's layup to build a 40-25 halftime lead. Gillard and Cockfield each scored 3s in the run.
The Wildcats closed to within five points seven minutes into the second half, but the Red Wolves again pulled away and led 76-57 with 3:42 to play after Simms' layup and a 3-pointer by Rashad Lindsey.
Gillard and Tamas Bruce scored 13 apiece. Arkansas State shot 56 percent from the field and outrebounded the Wildcats (1-1) 33-21, including 12-6 on offensive boards.
Jaylen Franklin scored 16 points, Jaren Lewis 15, and Tevin Foster 14 for Abilene Christian.
