MONROE, La. (Interstat) — Arkansas State held off a persistent Louisiana-Monroe squad for a 102-94 men’s basketball victory Saturday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Red Wolves led 56-49 at halftime and maintained their advantage despite 33 points from the Warhawks’ Krystian Lewis. Arkansas State (18-11, 11-5 Sun Belt) used efficient offense, scoring 102 points on just 79 possessions, and forced 15 turnovers. Joey Chammaa scored 21 points off the bench for the Red Wolves, while Aly Tounkara added 10 points and 12 rebounds. TJ Caldwell led Arkansas State with 17 points. Louisiana-Monroe (4-25, 2-14) shot well but could not overcome Arkansas State’s 14 made 3-pointers. Lavell Brodnex had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Warhawks. An announced crowd of 1,606 watched the game.

MONROE, La. (Interstat) — In a game that defied both expectations and the scoreboard for long stretches, Arkansas State outlasted a heroic individual effort from Louisiana-Monroe’s Krystian Lewis to secure a 102-94 victory in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The contest, witnessed by 1,606 fans, was a stark contrast to the teams’ meeting just 10 days prior, which Arkansas State won by 33 points. This time, the Warhawks, anchored by a spectacular performance from their hometown guard, turned the matchup into a tense, back-and-forth affair that was not decided until the final minutes. Lewis, a 6-foot-3 guard from Monroe, poured in 33 points and dished out nine assists, relentlessly attacking the Arkansas State defense and keeping the Warhawks within striking distance despite their significant underdog status. His backcourt mate, Lavell Brodnex, recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Renars Sondors added 19 points. The Warhawks dominated inside, scoring 44 points in the paint. Arkansas State, however, countered with superior depth and a more balanced offensive attack. Joey Chammaa came off the bench to lead the Red Wolves with 21 points, including several critical free throws down the stretch. TJ Caldwell, named the team’s top star, contributed 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Aly Tounkara controlled the glass with 12 rebounds to go with 10 points. The most important phase of the game came late in the second half as Louisiana-Monroe threatened to complete a stunning comeback. After trailing by seven at halftime, 56-49, the Warhawks chipped away, tying the game and even taking brief leads. With just over five minutes remaining, Lewis converted a driving layup and the subsequent free throw to give Louisiana-Monroe an 81-79 advantage, capping a persistent effort to overtake the favored Red Wolves. Arkansas State responded immediately and decisively. The Red Wolves clamped down defensively and embarked on a 13-2 run over the next three minutes, a surge that ultimately sealed the game. The run was fueled by defensive stops, key rebounds, and a steady parade to the free-throw line. Chammaa, Caldwell and Christian Harmon combined to hit 10 consecutive free throws during this critical stretch, turning a two-point deficit into a 92-83 lead with 1:57 remaining. Louisiana-Monroe could not recover from that burst, as Arkansas State made 10 of its final 12 free throws to close out the win. The victory improved Arkansas State to 18-11 overall and continued its push in the Sun Belt standings. The loss was a heartbreaking 25th of the season for Louisiana-Monroe, which fell to 4-25 but displayed significant fight after the lopsided loss in Jonesboro earlier in the month. The game’s total of 196 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 163.5, reflecting the offensive pace set by both teams. Arkansas State, which shot efficiently from the field, also capitalized on Warhawk mistakes, scoring 23 points off turnovers. Arkansas State next hosts Southern Mississippi on Tuesday. Louisiana-Monroe travels to face South Alabama on Wednesday.

MONROE, La. (Interstat) — A surging Arkansas State squad looks to continue its push in the Sun Belt Conference standings when it visits struggling Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Red Wolves (17-11) enter on a strong run, having won four of their last five games, including a decisive 79-62 road victory at Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday. They previously dismantled ULM 103-70 just 10 days ago in Jonesboro. Arkansas State is powered by guard Chandler Jackson, who is coming off a career-high 31-point performance against ULL. Over his last three games, Jackson has averaged 19.3 points and 5.0 assists, providing dynamic scoring and playmaking for a potent Red Wolves offense. Conversely, the Warhawks (4-24) are mired in a difficult season but have shown recent fight, losing their last two games by a single point each, including a 77-76 heartbreaker to Troy on Wednesday. Guard Krystian Lewis has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 22.4 points over his last five contests. He torched Arkansas State for 32 points in the Feb. 11 meeting. Despite ULM’s resilience, the matchup presents a stark contrast. Arkansas State boasts a high-powered attack that leads the Sun Belt in scoring during conference play, while the Warhawks have struggled defensively. The Red Wolves will aim to sweep the season series and improve their seeding for the upcoming conference tournament, while Louisiana-Monroe seeks a monumental upset to build momentum for the final stretch. Tip-off is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Monroe.