Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Arkansas State tied the program record for steals in a game in Thursday evening’s 75-34 victory over Louisiana in First National Bank Arena.
The 28 steals also ties the Sun Belt record for most steals in a league game.
Arkansas State forced 39 turnovers, the most this season and most since March 7, 1996 (42), while also holding Louisiana to only 34 points.
A-State shot for 33 percent (27-of-81), making 27 percent (13-of-49) from three-point range. Louisiana was held to 24 percent (32-of-66) shooting and 16 percent from three (3-of-19).
Three Red Wolves reached double digits, with Bella Weary leading the way on 17 points, five rebounds, and five steals, Mia Tarver scoring 15 points after going 5-of-9 from three (56 percent), and Aniyah Ruddock landing three triples and a free throw for 10. Wynter Rogers also scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, and five steals, while Yves Cox led the team with 11 steals and forced four blocks and a steal.
A-State launched into the scoring with a three-pointer from Shannon, followed immediately by a Red Wolf steal and another two points for Shannon. Mia Tarver came out of the gate hot with a pair of threes, and Bella Weary was able to draw contact to go 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Louisiana was held to just 10 points, the fewest points for an Arkansas State opponent in the first quarter of any game all season, as the Red Wolves led the quarter, 28-10.
Shannon again opened up the second quarter with a layup and was succeeded by Tarver, netting her third and fourth threes of the game. Louisiana was able to string together eight points in a row in the final minutes until Shannon found Rogers cutting to the basket for a quick layup. Weary hit both free throws on the shooting foul to set the halftime score at 40-24.
A relatively slow quarter on the scoreboard, the Ragin’ Cajuns only posted another six points across the 10 minutes. Allen hit back-to-back threes off a steal to equal out Louisiana’s quarter on her own, with Marlie Dickerson and Shannon adding layups and Crislyn Rose setting off a triple in the waning seconds for the 53-30 A-State lead.
The final quarter was highlighted with the Red Wolves only allowing four points while scoring 22 of their own. Aniyah Ruddock totaled seven points in the period with two threes and a free throw made. Weary also scored seven with two layups and one from long range.
UP NEXT
Arkansas State continues the homestand at First National Bank Arena, hosting Southern Miss on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats can be found online.