PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Led by a career-high 25 points from Desi Sills, 20 second half points from Marquis Eaton and a double-double from Norchad Omier, the Arkansas State men’s basketball team roared back from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 84-73 Wednesday at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Sills poured in a game-high 25 points, topping his career-high of 23 set at Auburn in his time at the University of Arkansas. Sills added a season-high four assists along with a rebound, block and steal. Omier posted his second consecutive double-double finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and 19th of his career. Marquis Eaton added a season-high 22 points, his 15th career 20-point outing. DeQuan Morris led the Lions with 19 points.
UAPB blistered the nets in the first half shooting 51% from the field and 46% beyond the arc. The Lions forced seven A-State turnovers in the first half, all on steals. The Red Wolves trailed by as many as 14 points and trailed by 10, 48-38, at the break after shooting 45% from the floor and just 25% from 3-point range.
A-State (6-2) outscored UAPB (1-10) 46-25 in the second half, shooting 56.7% (17-30) from the field and 3-of-6 (50%) beyond the arc. After the Lions shot 51.4% (19-37) in the first half, the Red Wolves held the hosts to 9-of-27 (33%) in the final 20 minutes.
Eaton scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, willing the Red Wolves back from the double-digit deficit. A-State forced UAPB into eight second-half turnovers after just two Lion miscues in the first 20 minutes and the Red Wolves had only one turnover over the final 20 minutes.
The Red Wolves finished with a 36-33 advantage on the glass and outscored UAPB 44-38 in the paint. A-State’s starting five scored 79 of the 84 points with four players in double figures for the second consecutive game.
Arkansas State continues the three-game road stretch Saturday at 4 p.m. against Mississippi Valley State.
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