FIU 66, Arkansas St. 64

Jan 10, 2013, 10:47 pm

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Tymell Murphy and Jerome Frink each scored 12 points and had key plays down the stretch to lead FIU over Arkansas State 66-64 on Thursday night.

FIU (8-7, 3-3 Sun Belt) trailed 55-49 with 5:39 remaining in the game after Kelvin Downs hit a lay-up for the Red Wolves but went on a 17-9 run to close out the game and earn the victory. Murphy tied it at 55 with a lay-in for the Panthers, then Frink hit a pair of free throws to give FIU a 57-55 lead with 3:09 to play and the Panthers never trailed again.

Deric Hill had 11 points and six rebounds for FIU and Malik Smith scored 10 points including three 3-pointers.

Arkansas State (10-6, 4-3) shot only 34.5 percent from the field and was 8 for 33 from beyond the arc. Ed Townsel scored 20 points but was 4 of 15 from 3-point range.