JONESBORO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas men's basketball team dropped an exhibition contest at Arkansas State University on Wednesday in Jonesboro, Arkansas, 65-49. The Weevils battled with the Red Wolves for most of the matchup, but ASU eventually pulled away for the win.
 
The Weevils showed their strength early tallying a lead in the first five minutes, 13-9. It was emphasized by solid play from Wanya King, who made a pair of baskets including a three-pointer. He was also aided by Marcus Gilbert in that stretch who tallied five points of his own.
 
With 13:03 remaining in the half, the Wolves took the lead on a made jumper by Canberk Kus giving ASU a 17-14 advantage.
 
Down in the final minutes of the half, King helped the Weevils cut the deficit to four points tallying a three-pointer, but the Red Wolves registered one final basket to take a 28-22 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, UAM came out firing with an early three from King to cut the lead in half. Gilbert then followed with a basket to make it a one-point deficit and he would later give UAM the lead on an outstanding second-chance bucket under the basket making it 35-34, Weevils.
 
The one-point advantage would be all UAM would have, however, after a stretch of turnovers allowed ASU to get back the lead. Eventually, the Red Wolves would take a 10-point advantage, and later ran away with the contest winning, 65-49
 
Overall, UAM shot 32.1 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from downtown. UAM did lead in the rebounding category totaling 41 boards as opposed to ASU's 34.
 
King and Gilbert tallied double-figures in points for UAM with King going 6-for-12 from the floor and recording 19 points, and Gilbert going 6-for-15 with 15 points.
 
KJ Lesure and King led the team in boards on the day with seven apiece.
 
UP NEXT
The Weevils will officially start their regular season, beginning Division II play this Saturday at 6 p.m. against Augustana University (S.D.) in Warrensburg, Missouri.