ASU Falls To Ole Miss, 65-52, In Basketball Season Opener

OXFORD, Miss. (11/14/08) – Ole Miss’ David Huertas poured in 24 points to lead the Rebels against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 65-52, in ASU’s season opener Friday at the Tad Smith Coliseum.

ASU had trouble converting its shots, hitting only 35 percent (21-60) from the floor for the game and scoring only one three point basket (1-12/8.3%) in the game.

“I was proud of our team for how it tried to shoot, defend and rebound,” said ASU head coach John Brady. “I wasn’t disappointed in the offensive play we just need to make a basket or two. I was proud that we were there at the ten minute mark.”

Several reserves saw a lot of first-half action due to starters Ifeanyi Koggu and JeJuan Brown getting into early foul trouble. ASU had the lead at the half, 27-24, and led by as many as seven points in the first frame.

ASU was 10-28 from the floor in the first half and was 7-10 from the free throw line. Both teams were 0-7 from the three-point line at the half.

Junior transfer Donald Boone led the Red Wolves in the first half with six points, Brown and Koggu had three rebounds each in the first period.

Huertas closed the gap for the Rebels when he scored three straight free throws only eight seconds into the second half.

ASU took the lead just once more on a jumper by Brown at the 17:52 mark of the second half.

Senior Shawn Morgan led the Red Wolves with 13 points, while junior Eric McKinney led the team with eight rebounds, including three offensive boards.

ASU outrebounded the Rebels 43-42, while the Red Wolves bench poured in 25 points to the Rebels 10.


“This was a good game for us to see what we need to do to get better. We are going to take it and use it as that, be positive and just try and get better,” said Brady.

Freshman reserve point guard Daniel Bryant played 18 minutes for the Red Wolves, contributing seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

Brown, McKinney, senior Larry Handy and Boone recorded six points each for the Red Wolves.

ASU will open its home slate Monday when it hosts Lyon College at 7 p.m. at the ASU Convocation Center.