Arkansas State outlasts UALR in 4OT, 116-114

By foxsports
Published

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Melvin Johnson III scored 19 points and converted a three-point play with 6 seconds left in quadruple overtime to help No. 4 seed Arkansas State outlast fifth-seeded Arkansas-Little Rock 116-114 in a Sun Belt Conference quarterfinal Friday.

The Red Wolves (19-12) will face top-seeded Georgia State in the semifinals Saturday. Ed Townsel scored 32 for Arkansas State, Kirk Van Slyke added 24 and Brandon Reed 23.

Leroy Isler led UALR (15-17) with 25, James White had 20 and Josh Hagins 17 with 11 rebounds.

UALR led by six late in regulation, but Arkansas State rallied to take the lead on a Johnson layup with 8 seconds left. White split a pair of free throws to force overtime.

Stetson Billings split a pair of free throws to go up 114-113 with 7 seconds left, setting up Johnson's go-ahead basket. Hagins' attempted 3-pointer was blocked by Townsel in the final seconds.