JONESBORO, Ark. — Izaiyah Nelson had 26 points and 10 rebounds in Arkansas State’s 103-78 victory over Saint Louis on Tuesday night in the NIT.

Taryn Todd scored 21 points while going 8 of 14 from the floor, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and added seven assists for the Red Wolves (25-10). Derrian Ford had 15 points and went 5 of 6 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range).

Robbie Avila finished with 22 points and eight rebounds for the Billikens (19-15). Saint Louis got 20 points, 10 rebounds and two steals from Amari McCottry. Isaiah Swope had 16 points.

Arkansas State, which is coached by Jamestown native Bryan Hodgson, took the lead with 19:32 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. Nelson led his team in scoring with 12 points in the first half to help put them up 50-37 at the break. Nelson scored a team-high 14 points after the break.

KENT STATE ELIMINATES ST. BONAVENTURE

By Scott Eddy

Assistant Athletics Director

for Strategic Communications

ST. BONAVENTURE — St. Bonaventure’s 2024-25 season came to a close on a frosty shooting night at the Reilly Center as visiting Kent State dominated the second half on the way to a 75-56 victory in the NIT First Round.

The Bonnies close their season at 22-12 overall while Kent State moves on to play either Stanford or CSUN this weekend.

In the early going, the Reilly Center’s student section was raucous as the Bonnies raced out to a 12-2 start. Bona clicked on all cylinders during the fast opening, going 5-for-5 from the floor including two treys.

Though it looked like the Bonnies might dominate the first half, Kent State quickly responded.

The Golden Flashes (23-11) embarked on a 15-2 sprint to erase Bona’s early good vibes and establish control.

At the half, though, it remained anybody’s game as the visitors led by just one, 29-28.

A Jonah Hinton three-pointer gave the Bonnies a bit of life out of the locker room but Kent State then launched another 12-0 sprint for a 41-31 lead at the 15:12 mark.

Bona made another attempt to claw closer by pulling within 43-36 before a Jalen Sullinger corner trey on the break helped the Flashes move ahead by double figures.

From there, it was clear sailing for the Golden Flashes.

Kent State shot nearly 56 percent from the floor during the second half while locking down the Bonnies to a 10-for-33 mark after halftime.

The Golden Flashes caught fire from beyond the arc as well, hitting eight of 11 3-point attempts during the second half.

Chance Moore paced the Bonnies with 16 points of 7-of-11 shooting. Jonah Hinton chipped in 12 points while Noel Brown recorded 11.

Delrocco Gillespie turned in a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for Kent State.

The Bonnies wrap a season that saw some memorable highs and rollercoaster moments, ultimately finishing in the third postseason home game in program history.

“We brought in 10 new guys and became close in the summertime,” senior captain Melvin Council Jr. said. “I feel like I’ve known these guys for years and we just met a couple months ago.”

“I don’t think I could be any more grateful,” Brown added after playing his final collegiate game. “I know that 10 years down the road I’m going to look back and remember the people I saw here. We’re a family. I know I’m going to be back with the fans here in 10 years. I love Bonaventure 100 percent.”