PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Arkansas State Red Wolves saw their Sun Belt Conference Championship run come to an complete Sunday afternoon, falling to the Troy Trojans 83-73 in the semifinals at the Pensacola Bay Center. The third-seeded Red Wolves finished their season with a 24-9 record, while second-seeded Troy (25-6) advances to the tournament final.
Despite a strong offensive showing, shooting 40 percent from the field (25-of-62) and 39 percent from three-point range (12-of-31), Arkansas State couldn’t overcome a significant second-quarter deficit. D’Arrah Allen led the Red Wolves with 18 points, while Mimi McCollister contributed a team-high six rebounds and matched Crislyn Rose with five assists each.
The game began with a speedy pace, as Payton Fields hit two early three-pointers for Arkansas State. However, Troy responded with a 7-0 run, before an 8-1 surge led by Bella Weary gave the Red Wolves a 25-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. The momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter, as Troy outscored Arkansas State 20-7, holding the Red Wolves to just two field goals during that period.
Trailing by double digits entering the second half, Arkansas State attempted a comeback. They faced a 19-point deficit before Allen and Weary combined for a 12-0 run, fueled by three successful three-pointers. The Red Wolves narrowed the gap to seven points, but Troy regained control with a series of field goals, taking an 11-point lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, McCollister’s layup and five quick points from Allen kept Arkansas State within striking distance. However, a decisive three-minute, 10-point run by Troy extended their lead to 18. While the Red Wolves managed to chip away at the deficit with a couple of Allen’s three-pointers, Troy ultimately held on for the 10-point victory.
The Sun Belt Conference Championship semifinal marked the end of a successful season for Arkansas State. The team finished with a 13-4 record in conference play. Fans can continue to follow the A-State women’s basketball program on social media: @AStateWB on Twitter/X, @astatewbb on Instagram, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RedWolvesWBB.
Troy’s victory sets the stage for a championship showdown. The Trojans will now compete for the Sun Belt Conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The outcome of that game will determine which team represents the conference on the national stage.
As the season concludes, the Arkansas State Red Wolves will look to build on this year’s accomplishments and return stronger next season. The program’s continued growth and dedication to excellence promise an exciting future for Red Wolves basketball.
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