Despite a big run to open the second half, the Ragin Cajuns were stopped in the final seconds by Arkansas State to lose their second straight by the score of 71-69.
The Cajuns and the Red Wolves went back and forth throughout the first half and a late run gave Arkansas State a 38-34 lead at the end of the first half.
But the Cajuns came back out firing on all cylinders with a 17-o run to open the second half to take a sizable lead. But the Red Wolves chopped away at the lead as the half progressed, tying the game up three times in the final minutes of the game.
Shawn Long gave the Cajuns one-point lead after making one of two free throws with 34 seconds remaining in the game.
After Devin Carter missed both of his free throws, Frederic Dure got the rebound for Arkansas State and passed it to Sean Gardner who made a short jumper and was fouled by Long and completed the three-point play to give the Red Wolves a two-point lead with eight seconds left on the clock.
Long, who was 0-3 from three-point range at this point, got the ball and had a good view of the basket and went for the game-winner, but hit the back of the iron as the final horn went off.
Long led the team with his 61st career double-double with 25 points, 15 boards, one assist, and two blocks on the night.
Carter led the Red Wolves with 25 points, eight boards, one assist, one block, and three steals. Donte Thomas was not far behind with 20 points, five boards, one assist, and two blocks.
The Cajuns (5-8, 1-3 Sun Belt) will head to Statesboro, Georgia to take on Georgia Southern (5-9, 1-3 Sun Belt) on January 14th with tipoff set for 7:30 pm.
-Clint Domingue