Atlanta, GA – (Contributed) – Junior guard Christian Harmon converted six three-pointers in a 23-point performance, but Arkansas State men’s basketball (13-8, 5-4 SBC) fell in an 82-81 decision at Georgia State (9-12, 6-3 SBC) on Saturday afternoon inside the GSU Convocation Center.
In addition to Harmon, who established a new career high in points scored, Matt Hayman (14), Chandler Jackson (10), Jalen Hampton (10) and Joey Chammaa (10) also reached double figures. Hampton secured his third double-double in the last five games with a team-leading 12 rebounds while Chandler Jackson recorded a team-high six assists.
As a team A-State shot 28-for-57 (49.1 percent) from the field, including an 8-for-24 (33.3 percent) clip from three-point range, and 17-for-19 (89.5 percent) from the free-throw line. The Red Wolves held a 38-21 edge on the glass and outscored the opposition 38-16 in the paint.
Harmon registered 12 points in less than five minutes of action, converting three shots from beyond the arc and three more from the charity stripe to give A-State an early 18-3 lead. The Panthers ended a 16-0 scoring run with a layup at the 15:10 mark and scored seven of the next nine points to shrink the lead to eight.
Chammaa responded with a layup to make the score 22-12, but Georgia State remained in pursuit and outscored the Scarlet and Black 19-9 over the next 8:53 to tie the game. Aly Tounkara converted a layup to break the stalemate, but a 7-0 run on the other end resulted in a 38-33 deficit with 49 seconds remaining in the first half.
Harmon netted his fourth three-pointer with 22 seconds on the clock and sent the Red Wolves into halftime with a two-point deficit.
Hayman opened the final 20 minutes with a three-pointer that sparked an 8-3 run and resulted in a 44-41 lead for the Red Wolves. Georgia State responded with a three-pointer and added a free throw on the next offensive possession to break the tie, but a jumper from Jackson sparked a 7-0 run for A-State and made the score 51-45.
The opposition closed the gap quickly with a 10-2 run powered by two shots from beyond the arc. Chammaa tied the game with a successful trip to the free-throw line, but the Panthers’ 10th three-point basket of the contest broke it with 10:09 left in the contest.
A-State scored nine of the next 12 points to take a 64-61 lead before another make from beyond the arc tied the game once again. Neither side held a lead larger than one possession until the 2:11 mark, when back-to-back layups pushed Georgia State ahead 75-71.
Two free throws and Harmon’s sixth three-pointer of the contest erased the deficit with 1:21 to go, but the Panthers countered with their 12th and final three-point basket of the contest. The Red Wolves fouled following a turnover with 35 seconds left and the opposition capitalized with two free throws.
A-State remained in pursuit and a three-pointer from Jackson cut the deficit to 82-81 with two seconds left. Hampton recorded a steal on the ensuing inbound play and fired a shot at the buzzer, but it would not fall as the contest reached its conclusion.
NEXT UP
A-State returns to Jonesboro to face Old Dominion on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside First National Bank Arena, and the matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+.
