DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Arkansas State men’s basketball team’s 2023-24 campaign reached its conclusion Tuesday evening in an 81-80 defeat to top-seeded High Point in the semifinals of the Ro College Basketball Invitational (CBI) at the Ocean Center.
 
The Red Wolves (20-17) trailed the Panthers (27-8) by as many as 14 points with under 12 minutes remaining in the second half, but a furious rally came up just short when a turnaround jumper by junior guard Taryn Todd rimmed out as time expired.
 
Arkansas State ended its season as one of just five teams nationally to go from 20-plus losses last season to at least 20 victories this year under a first-year head coach (Bryan Hodgson).
 
The Red Wolves were led by sophomore forward Izaiyah Nelson’s career night where he registered personal bests in points (25) and rebounds (15) to tally his eighth double-double of the season. He shot 11-for-17 from the field and added a pair of steals.
 
Todd added 23 points on 10-for-19 shooting, as junior guard Freddy Hicks compiled 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while senior guard Caleb Fields concluded his career with 13 points and seven assists.
 
The Red Wolves shot 30-for-70 (.429) from the field, 9-for-25 (.360) beyond the 3-point arc and 11-for-14 (.786) at the foul stripe on the night.
 
High Point placed four scorers in double-figures and were led by Kezza Giffa’s 22 points, while Juslin Bodo Bodo recorded 14 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks.
 
The Panthers outscored Arkansas State, 44-40, in the paint, 17-10 on second chances, 12-6 off turnovers and 20-0 off the bench while shooting 31-for-64 (.484) as a team.