ASU Red Wolves host FIU Thursday night - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

From Arkansas State University

Game 16: FIU Panthers (7-7, 2-3 Sun Belt East Division) at
Arkansas State Red Wolves (10-5, 4-2 Sun Belt West Division)
January 10, 2013 • ASU Convocation Center
Jonesboro, Ark. • 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Radio: EAB Sports Radio Network (107.9 KFIN-FM, flagship) – Matt Stolz (Play-By-Play)
TV: None
LIVE STATS & VIDEO WEBCAST: www.AStateRedWolves.com<http://www.AStateRedWolves.com>

Tip Off: The Arkansas State University men's basketball team will put its current four-game winning streak on the line this Thursday (Jan. 10) evening when the Red Wolves host the FIU Panthers in a Sun Belt Conference (SBC) contest at Jonesboro, Ark. Opening tip is slated for 7:05 p.m. (CT) at the ASU Convocation Center. The matchup will represent the second and final 2012-13 regular-season meeting between the two teams.

2012-13 A-StAte MBB Ticket Info: Tickets for the 2012-13 ASU men's basketball season are now on sale. Individual single-game prices are $12 for the upper center area, $10 for the upper side, $8 for the upper wings, $6 for children and senior citizens (age 55+), and $5 group rate purchase of 12 tickets or more. Tickets may be purchased through the ASU Box Office by calling 870-972-2781 or 888-ASU-FANS. 2012-13 ticket information is available on ASU Athletics official website – www.AStateRedWolves.com.

The Records: Arkansas State (10-5, 4-2 Sun Belt West Division). The Red Wolves have presently won four games in a row following a 75-61 conference home victory over Western Kentucky last Saturday (1/5) night at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark. This season, A-State has currently posted a 7-1 mark at home, 3-4 on the road, and 0-0 at neutral sites. FIU (7-7, 2-3 Sun Belt East Division). The Panthers are midst a three-game winning streak after registering a 74-72 home non-conference triumph over Bethune-Cookman on Monday (1/7) at the U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami, Fla. FIU is 3-5 on the road, 4-2 at home, and 0-0 at neutral sites to date this campaign. Last season, FIU compiled an 8-21 overall record with a fifth-place tying 5-11 mark in the SBC's East Division.

The Coaches: Arkansas State – John Brady (Bellhaven, 1976), 5th season, 71-71 (.500); Career - 352-287 (.551) – (7-10 vs. FIU). Brady was named the 2009-10 SBC Coach of the Year and the District VII Coach of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). He served six seasons (1991-97) as head coach at Samford and then spent 10-plus seasons (1997-08) in a head coaching capacity at LSU. Brady guided LSU to two SEC Championship titles along with four NCAA Tournament appearances, which included a Final Four appearance in the 2005-06 season.
FIU – Richard Pitino (Providence, 2005), 1st season, 7-7 (.500) – (1-0 vs. ASU). Pitino became FIU's seventh coach in the program's history in April 2012 after spending the 2011-12 season at Louisville as the team's associate head coach. Pitino, the son of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, spent the previous two seasons (2009-10 & 2010-11) at Florida after being with the Louisville program in the two seasons (2007-08 & 2008-09) prior. He served as an assistant one season each at Northeastern (2005-06) and at Duquesne (2006-07).

About FIU: The Panthers have won three in a row following a 74-72 home non-conference win over Bethune-Cookman on Monday (1/7) in Miami, Fla. Junior forward Tymell Murphy led FIU in scoring with 20 points and had 10 rebounds while freshman forward Jerome Frink also notched a double-double with 11 points and rebounds apiece. Junior guard Malik Smith contributed 15 points in the FIU victory.
• FIU has three players averaging double-figure points in junior forward Tymell Murphy (15.4 ppg.), Malik Smith (14.7 ppg.), and freshman forward Jerome Frink (10.1 ppg.). In rebounding, Murphy (7.9 rpg) and Fink (7.7 rpg.) lead the way as the pair have combined for 48.2% (218-452) of the team's production.
• Among the national statistical leaders through games of Jan. 6, the Golden Panthers rank 31st in steals (9.2 avg.), 85th in turnover margin (2.2), 93rd in three-point field goals (7.0 avg.), 142nd in scoring offense (69.3 ppg.), 166th in three-point field goal percentage (33.6%), 284th in scoring defense (72.0 ppg.), and 240th in scoring margin (-2.7). Individually, Malik Smith is listed 17th in three-point field goals (3.08 avg.) and 75th in three-point field goal percentage (36.7%) while sophomore guard Deric Hill ranks 59th in steals (2.08 spg.). Tymell Murphy is 18th in field-goal percentage (59.0%), 118th in rebounds (7.7 rpg.), 213th in points (15.0 ppg.), 228th in free-throw percentage (66.9%), and 234th in blocked shots (1.15 bpg.). Jerome Frink ranks 149th in rebounds (7.5 rpg.).

All-Time Series: Arkansas State has a 21-7 advantage over FIU in a series which started in the 1985-86 season. In the inaugural meeting, the Red Wolves registered a 69-48 victory in the ASU Jaycee Tournament at Jonesboro.
• ASU, which has won four of the last seven matchups, dropped an 80-61 contest at FIU in this season's first meeting (11/29). The Red Wolves' most recent win over FIU was a 77-67 decision in their 2011-12 regular-season home finale (2/18). A-State is 11-2 at home versus FIU (includes forfeit due to NCAA 
sanctions) and hasn't suffered a home loss to the Panthers since the 1999-00 season when the Red Wolves lost 77-67.
• In the last five encounters, ASU is averaging 72.0 points a game (360 total) compared to FIU's 72.6 points an outing (363 total).
• Marcus Hooten is averaging 16.5 ppg. (33 pts.) in two appearances while Trey Finn has compiled 12.0 ppg. (48 pts.) and 5.5 rpg. (22 rebs.) in four games. Brandon Peterson has averaged 7.5 ppg. (30 pts.) and 7.0 rpg. (28 rebs.) in four outings.

In The Sun Belt Conference: The Red Wolves are 175-175 (.500) since joining the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) in the 1991-92 season, which includes a season-best 14-4 (.778) mark in the 1997-98 campaign.
• A-State sports a 38-17 (.691) record at home and is 15-15 (.500) on the road since the 2006-07 season.
• ASU head coach John Brady has registered a 37-37 record (.500) in Sun Belt Conference contests since his arrival in the 2008-09 season, which consists of a 26-10 home ledger and a 10-27 away mark.
• The Red Wolves are 28-21 (.571) in January conference games dating back to 2006-07 which is comprised of a 21-6 home mark and a 7-15 road ledger. ASU's best performance was a 7-1 record in the 2009-10 season as the Red Wolves went 4-0 at home and 3-1 on the road en route to a 17-14 overall mark.

Points Producer: Junior guard Ed Townsel has been ASU's top scorer throughout this season and is presently averaging a personal career season-best 16.3 points per game (244 pts.) in 15 contests. Townsel averaged a 9.0 ppg. average in 34 outings last season and scored 4.8 ppg. (155 pts.) in 32 2010-11 encounters.

Winning Streak: The Red Wolves are currently midst a season-best tying four-game winning streak (12/27-1/5) which equals their four-game victory string earlier this campaign (11/13-25). ASU is averaging 72.8 ppg. (291 pts.) while allowing 61.3 ppg. (245 pts.) in its present four-game win streak. A-State averaged 79.8 ppg. (319 pts.) and gave up 61.3 ppg. (245 pts.) in its initial four-game winning string this campaign.

Dynamic Duo: ASU's has two individuals averaging double-figure points in Ed Townsel (16.3 ppg.) and senior forward Brandon Peterson (11.6 ppg.). Together, the pair have combined to generate 39.4% (418-1,062) of the squad's scoring production. Townsel alone has accounted for 22.9% (244 pts.) of ASU's points. 

Keen Eye: Brandon Peterson is shooting 60% (15-25) from the floor in his last three outings, which includes a 62.5% field-goal percentage on two occasions – at South Alabama (12/29) and against Western Kentucky (1/5). Peterson has shot at least 50% or better in a game 10 times this season and has notched a 59.8% (49-82) in those 10 contests.

Downs Is Upward: Freshman forward Kelvin Downs has scored a combined 12 points in his last two outings for a 6.0 points a game average connecting on 62.5% (5-8) from the floor in 36 minutes. Downs produced six points apiece in home contests against Middle Tennessee (1/3) and Western Kentucky (1/5). He netted a combined 16 points in his previous 11 games this season, an average of 1.5 ppg. in 79 total minutes.

Finn Near Points Milestone: Senior guard Trey Finn is 38 points away from registering his 1,000th career point and would become the 24th individual in ASU's history to reach the milestone. Finn has presently produced 962 career points in 105 contests for an average of 9.2 points per game. Finn is 51 points shy of moving into a 23rd-place tie with Jabari Myles (1994-98; 1,013 career points) among the Red Wolves' all-time scoring leaders.

Peterson Approaching Grand Mark: Brandon Peterson needs 53 points to reach the 1,000 points mark and currently has compiled 947 career points in 111 games, an average of 8.5 points an outing. He presently trails Trey Finn by 15 points going into Thursday's (1/10) contest versus FIU.

Red Wolf Howl Alerts: Rakeem Dickerson's seven assists against Western Kentucky (1/5) is a career game high, eclipsing his six helpers vs. Arkansas-Monticello (11/13) and against ULM last season (2/2/12) ... Brandon Peterson has 12 double-figure scoring games this season after tallying 14 points vs. WKU (1/5) ... ASU is averaging 11.5 ppg. more (46 pts.) than the opposition during its four-gamewinning streak ... The Red Wolves have shot 42.8% (95-222) from the floor in their last four outings while their opponent has been limited to 36.6% (87-238) efficiency ... ASU's 47.4% shooting (27-57) vs. Western Kentucky (1/5) represented its second-best performance this campaign, second to 54.7% (29-53) against Arkansas-Monticello (11/13) ... Trey Finn snapped a five-game single digit points string (12/19-1/3) with 13 points against Western Kentucky (1/5). Finn has compiled five double-figure point outings this season to date ... Marcus Hooten is nine steals shy of tying his 19 thefts total in 34 games last season ... Ed Townsel's 43 three-point field goals in 15 games is three shy of matching his career season-best 46 triples made in 34 contests a season ago ... The Red Wolves' two four-game winning streaks this season represent the longest since the 2009-10 campaign when ASU reeled of four victories in a row (1/7-1/21/10) ... Kendrick Washington is shooting a combined 55.6% (5-9) from the floor in his last two contests after connecting on only 20.0% (2-10) in his prior two encounters. Washington has shot 50% or better in a game six times this season to date.

For Pete's Sake: Brandon Peterson is 25 rebounds away from tying Mike Burk's (1964-68) ninth-place tying 775 career boards on ASU's all-time leaders list. Peterson, who has presently pulled down a team-high 145 rebounds in 15 contests this season, has presently accumulated 730 career boards in 111
outings for a 6.6 per game average.

Last Time Out: Arkansas State won its fourth in a row by coming out in the second half with one of its best shooting performances this season to hand Western Kentucky a 75-61 Sun BeltConference (SBC) loss last Saturday (Jan. 5) night at the ASU Convocation Center.

In the second half, ASU put up a season second-most 52 points on the scoreboard as the Red Wolves overcame a 27-23 halftime deficit. ASU would make 17-of-29 shots from the field in the second stanza and went eight-of-10 for 50% in three-pointers. Down by four 27-23 at the half, A-State would come out of the locker room by going on a 16-5 run in the second half's first four minutes to go up by nine (41-32) with 15:54 left to be played. The Red Wolves, which forced 10 Hilltopper turnovers in the stanza, had their lead trimmed to five points at 41-36 with 15 minutes remaining. However, WKU would get no closer as A-State would bump its lead to double digits three minutes later and would claim its largest lead of 15 points (57-42) at the 9:42 mark on a bucket from Kendrick Washington. The remaining time in the frame saw the Red Wolves maintain a double-figure lead as 10 points (68-58) would be the narrowest margin WKU managed. Trey Finn drained a triple from well beyond the three-point line to beat the shot clock with just over two minutes left which stopped any momentum the Hilltoppers had built up at that point.

ASU started by claiming a 12-point lead at 14-2 just five-plus minutes into the game as the Red Wolves netted 12 consecutive points over a four-minute span. A-State would maintain its advantage until 3:45 remaining as the Hilltoppers knotted things up at 20-apiece by going on an 18-6 run. WKU would go on to produce seven of the last 10 points to take a 27-23 lead at the break. Brandon Peterson and Ed Townsel, who totaled eight and seven points, respectively in the opening half, generated a combined 15 points in the stanza.

Ed Townsel scored a game-high 25 points, including five three-pointers to lead the way for ASU,which finished the game shooting 47.4% (27-57) to Western Kentucky's 43.1% (22-51) from the floor. Brandon Peterson netted 14 points and grabbed a game-leading eight rebounds while Trey Finn tossed in 13 points, which included a 3-6 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Rakeem Dickerson netted seven points while Kendrick Washington and Kelvin Downs had six points apiece.

2012-13 Reference Guide Now Online: The 2012-13 A-State men's basketball reference guide is now available to view online in a PDF format and contains information for all devoted Red Wolves fans. The 110-page publication features such information as 2012-13 student-athlete rosters, season preview, student-athlete biographies, coaching staff bios, 2011-12 season statistics, and all-time series records along with career, season, and game statistical records. The annual publication is a production of the ASU Sports Information Office under the direction of director Jerry Scott along with assistant directors Chris Graddy and Joe Gorby. To view the 2012-13 ASU men's basketball publication online, please visit the respective link - 2012-13 Arkansas State Men's Basketball Reference Guide<http://www.astateredwolves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7200&ATCLID=205018659>.
A Season Ago: A-State concluded the 2011-12 campaign at 14-20 overall and posted a fifth-place 6-10 mark in the Sun Belt Conference's (SBC) West Division. The Red Wolves were 10-5 at home, 2-14 on the road, and 2-1 at neutral sites a season ago.

Up Next: The Red Wolves visit the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns<http://www.ragincajuns.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&tab=basketball> this Saturday (Jan. 12) in Sun Belt Conference West Division action at Lafayette, La. Game time is set for 7:15 p.m. (CT) at ULL's Cajundome. The tilt will mark the second and final regular-season meeting between the two teams for the 2012-13 season.