The South Alabama Jaguars pulled off a stunning 92-88 upset over the Arkansas State Red Wolves, with Chaze Harris leading the charge with 30 points and 5 assists. This victory marked a significant upset, as Arkansas State was ranked 141 in the NET rankings, while South Alabama sat at 181. The 4-point margin of victory was a reflection of the closely contested nature of the game, with South Alabama outscoring Arkansas State 51-42 in the second half. Arkansas State's Christian Harmon had a game-high 33 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jaguars' balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures.
Chaze Harris's 30-Point Performance Marks 5th 30-Point Game of the Season
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Arkansas State taking a 41-32 lead into halftime. However, South Alabama came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Red Wolves 51-42 to take the lead. The Jaguars' Adam Olsen had 27 points and 6 rebounds, while Randy Brady added 12 points and 9 rebounds. Arkansas State's Chandler Jackson had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the Red Wolves couldn't overcome the Jaguars' momentum. The game saw a total of 180 points scored, with both teams shooting over 45% from the field. South Alabama's 9-point overtime performance sealed the deal, as they outlasted Arkansas State 9-5 in the extra period.
Chaze Harris and Christian Harmon were the standout performers in this game, with Harris scoring 30 points and Harmon scoring 33. Harris's 5 assists were also crucial in the Jaguars' victory, as he helped to facilitate the team's offense. Adam Olsen was another key contributor for South Alabama, scoring 27 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. For Arkansas State, Chandler Jackson had a well-rounded game with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, while TJ Caldwell added 11 points. The top performers for both teams combined for 114 points, accounting for over 60% of the total points scored in the game.
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The box score reveals some interesting statistics from this game. South Alabama outscored Arkansas State 51-42 in the second half, and their 9-point overtime performance was the difference-maker. The Jaguars shot 48.5% from the field, while the Red Wolves shot 46.2%. Arkansas State won the rebounding battle 35-32, but South Alabama had a slight edge in assists, 17-15. The game saw a total of 14 turnovers, with South Alabama committing 7 and Arkansas State committing 7. The Jaguars' 30 points in the paint were also a key factor in their victory.
The CHD Scout prediction model was incorrect in this game, as it predicted an Arkansas State victory by 7.7 points. The actual margin was 4 points in favor of South Alabama, a significant difference. The predicted score was 79-71 in favor of Arkansas State, but the actual score was 92-88 in favor of South Alabama. This upset victory will likely have implications for the NET rankings, as South Alabama's win over a higher-ranked team will boost their resume. The model's incorrect prediction highlights the unpredictability of college basketball, where upsets can happen on any given day.
This game had real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Arkansas State, the loss drops them to 16-11 on the season, and the defeat is classified as a Quadrant 4 loss. For South Alabama, the win improves their record to 19-7, and the victory is considered a Quadrant 3 win. The NET rankings will likely reflect this outcome, with South Alabama's win over a higher-ranked team boosting their ranking. The loss for Arkansas State will likely drop them a few spots in the rankings, while South Alabama's win will help them to climb. The game's outcome will also have implications for the teams' tournament hopes, as a Quadrant 3 win is a valuable addition to South Alabama's resume.
South Alabama's next game is scheduled for February 17th against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, while Arkansas State will face the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on February 18th. Both teams want to build on their current momentum, with South Alabama riding high after their upset victory. The Jaguars want to continue their strong play, while the Red Wolves will aim to bounce back from their disappointing loss.