South Alabama Wins Overtime Thriller Against Arkansas State
It was an incredible environment in the Mitchell Center Thursday night for South Alabama. The game certainly matched it, as it took a last second three and overtime to decide the game that saw the Jaguars win 91-87 over Arkansas State.
South Alabama entered this one following a big win over Georgia Southern on Saturday, and needed a win over Arkansas State to put the Jaguars back in the mix atop the Sun Belt standings. Arkansas State looking to hold on to first place in the conference.
The Red Wolves started hot, scoring on their first 3 possessions, quickly taking an 8-2 lead in less than two minutes. After this though, both teams would go cold, neither team scoring much for several minutes before South Alabama would go on an 13-2 run to take a 15-10 lead midway through the first half.
Get š AO #LSF | #BurnTheBoats pic.twitter.com/WOAVG9UF7b
ā South Alabama Menās Basketball š (@SouthAlabamaMBB) January 16, 2026
Arkansas State would quickly regain the lead though, going on an 8-0 run following this. The Red Wolves and Jaguars would go back and forth for the rest of the first half, but Arkansas State would lead at the half 36-32.
Out of the break South Alabama would take command, going on a run right out of the locker room behind standout guard Chaze Harris. The Jags largest lead came eight minutes into the second half, with South Alabama going up 58-49. The Red Wolves would respond though, drawing to within two with six minutes to go in the game.
The next few minutes would feature the two teams going back and forth, before a couple of turnovers and some missed free throws by the Jags, gave Arkansas State a five point lead with 50 seconds to go. Jags guard Chaze Harris would score on their next possession to cut the lead to four and then a charge called on Arkansas State guard Chandler Jackson gave South Alabama life. They took advantage with a huge three by Randy Brady to cut the A-State lead to just one with a 19 seconds remaining.
The Red Wolves would get fouled on the inbound play and made both free throws before South Alabama got the ball back with 13 seconds on the clock.Ā The Jags would run down the court and give Harris the ball, he would miss the three, but the Jags got the rebound and passed back out to an open Adam Olsen who would drain the three with one second life to tie it up. The Red Wolves would come very close to making a full court lob, but it rimmed out and this one was headed to overtime.
ADAM OLSEN OH MY GOSH š± pic.twitter.com/65jIKKQXSg
ā South Alabama Menās Basketball š (@SouthAlabamaMBB) January 16, 2026
The overtime period would go very similarly to the last few minutes of the second half, both teams trading baskets and the lead until late in the period. This time though it would be South Alabama taking advantage of a couple of misses and turnovers by the Red Wolves to take the lead in the closing seconds of this one. South Alabama was able to close it out though thanks to some big free throws by forward Adam Olsen, The Jags winning 91-89.
“We found a way against a really good team when things really didn’t go our way, we never stopped, we never wavered, we’ve been in a lot of these, we’re battle tested,” said South Alabama coach Richie Riley.
South Alabama shot better from the field in this one, shooting 46% compared to Arkansas State who managed a 43% shooting percentage, but had a dreadful night from beyond the arc. Only managing a 22% 3-point shooting percentage, Arkansas State shooting 30% for three. The Red Wolves dominated the glass, outrebounding the Jags 51-33, but turned the ball over 19 times in this one, South Alabama turning it over just five times.
The Jags individually were led by a huge performance by guard Chaze Harris, he had a season high of 38 points, along with six rebounds and 4 assists despite not making a three. It was a relatively quiet game for Adam Olsen, but he still managed to make his presence felt with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Randy Brady led the team in rebounds with nine.
Arkansas State had a large number of players make an impact in the game, the starters actually being outscored by the bench 50-37. The Red Wolves leading scorers were Jaxon Ellingsworth and Royal Blue Smith who both had 18. Ellingsworth also led the teams in rebounds with 13 on the night.
With this win South Alabama will improve to 13-5 overall, 4-2 in conference play, while Arkansas State will fall to 12-6, also at 4-2 in conference play. Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, Arkansas State continuing their Alabama trip with a game at Troy at 3:33 p.m., while South Alabama hosts Louisiana at 3 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+
About The Author
