Georgia Southern tops Arkansas St., 72-60, tightens Sun Belt (Feb 25, 2017)

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) Ike Smith scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Georgia Southern pulled away from Arkansas State in the second half of its Sun Belt Conference battle Saturday, earning a 72-60 victory.

The victory pulls George Southern (18-11, 11-5) even with the Red Wolves (19-9, 10-5) in the loss column with two games left in the Eagles' regular season. Arkansas State has three games remaining.

Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Arkansas State all have five conference losses and are two games behind conference leader Texas-Arlington in the loss column.

The loss was Arkansas State's first on its home floor this season.

Tookie Brown finished with 17 points for the Eagles, who close out their regular season at Arkansas-Little Rock and at Georgia State.

Devin Carter scored 15 points as Arkansas State struggled from the field, hitting just 20 of 61 shots (32.8 percent) and 4 of 23 from long range. The Red Wolves shot 16 of 28 from the free throw line.