Arkansas State has dominated the all-time rivalry with UALR with a 46-28
advantage. But much of that advantage was built up before UALR joined NCAA
Division I in 1979. It was 17-0 before
UALR got its first victory over Arkansas State on Dec. 1, 1980. Counting that
victory, ASU has held a 29-28 advantage since then.
It has continued of late to be a balanced rivalry. Since 2000, UALR has
a 15-14 advantage with some of the more memorable games in the series being
played.
The average ASU victory has been 76-66, while the average UALR victory
has been 72-64. Of the nine games decided by five points or fewer, UALR has
won 7. ASU has won the blowout game more often. Arkansas State has won seven of
the 11 games decided by 10 or more points.
Here’s a look at the 10 most memorable games decided in either the
final minute or in overtime since 2000:
1. Feb. 4, 2010: UALR 79, ASU 77
After ASU’s JeJuan Brown missed a free throw, UALR’s Alex
Garcia-Mendoza hit a 42-foot, two bounce on the rim and off the backboard shot
to give the Trojans the win.
2. March 6, 2004: UALR 83, ASU 78 (OT)
At the Sun Belt Tournament in Bowling Green, UALR took a 10-point lead
in the first half before ASU rallied and took a 12-point lead in the second
half. UALR rallied late. Brandon Freeman’s double pump three-pointer with 2.9
seconds left sent the game to overtime where UALR won.
3. March 6, 2010: ASU 89, UALR 82 (OT)
At the Sun Belt Tournament in Hot Springs the teams combined for 64
fouls. ASU made 43 free throws in the foul fest. UALR played the second half
without Matt Mouzy, who broke his foot. ASU led by 12 before UALR rallied to
lead by 4 late. In a tie game, Alex Garcia-Mendoza put UALR up with a jumper.
But ASU’s Brandon Reed tied it on a layup with 41 seconds left. UALR turned the
ball over on its final possession but ASU’s Reed missed a game-winning 3 at the
buzzer. ASU won a free throw shooting
contest in overtime.
4. Feb. 25, 2012: UALR 62, ASU 60
In a tie game, ASU missed and UALR raced the other direction. Chuck Guy
found Tramar Sutherland cutting to the basket. He was fouled with 0.8 seconds
left. He made both free throws for the winning margin.
5. Feb. 2, 2002: UALR 65, ASU 63
Mark Green’s three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left was the game winner as
UALR won before a Sun Belt Conference record crowd of 12, 985 at Alltel Arena.
6. Jan. 31, 2004: ASU 57, UALR 56
ASU led 57-55 after a jump ball with 3.6 seconds left gave UALR the
possession. UALR inbounded and freshman Zack Wright got to the ASU lane where
he was fouled going up for a jump shot. Wright was an 87 percent free throw
shooter but missed the first. He then needed to miss the second for UALR to
have a shot at a rebound. But Wright accidentally made that one and ASU won.
7. Feb. 12, 2009: UALR 58, ASU 57
Arkansas State led by one point when Daniel Bryant dribbled the ball of
his foot out of bounds. With the ball, UALR’s Shane Edwards backed in JeJuan
Brown and hit a jump shot for the game winner.
8. Jan. 14, 2012: UALR 63, ASU 62
Last year in Jonesboro UALR led
by one with 1.7 seconds left. ASU’s Ed Townsell was at the free throw line and
missed. ASU got the rebound but missed the putback as time expired.
9. Jan. 18, 2001: UALR 53, ASU 50
A late goaltending call against ASU's Jason Jennings gave UALR the lead and Alan Barksdale hit two free throws late before ASU's Jamie Rosser missed a 3 at the buzzer that would have tied it. It ended a six game losing streak to ASU.
10. Jan. 9, 2006: ASU 74, UALR 70
With ASU leading 68-65 in the final minute, UALR appeared to get the defensive stop it needed when ASU's Marcus Ardison missed. But Ardison followed his shot and tipped the offensive rebound back out to Dereke Tipler who was fouled. Tipler, who had 30 points, made two free throws to clinch the victory for ASU. ASU, which trailed by 10 at halftime, became the first visiting team to win at the Jack Stephens Center.
