PENSACOLA, Fla. – The South Alabama men's basketball team fell to Arkansas State in the semi-final round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship Tournament 74-71 Sunday night at the Pensacola Bay Center, closing an incredible 2024-25 season.

After falling behind by as many as eight points in the second half, the Jags battled back to cut the deficit to five, 71-66, with under 30 seconds remaining. South Alabama had two chances to trim the deficit to one possession in the last 13 seconds, but they were unable to convert, allowing the Red Wolves to put the game away. 

Barry Dunning Jr recorded his sixth double-double this season with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Elijah Ormiston ended his career with the Jaguars with a dominant stat line of 21 points and nine rebounds. Myles Corey chipped in 12 points and three steals. 

The Jags shot 42.4 percent from the floor and tallied 40 points in the paint, but struggled from behind the arc shooting 16.7 percent (2-12) from downtown. Arkansas State hit 36.4 percent (12-33)  of their shots from three-point range. 

After Ormiston put up 14 second-half points, he had a chance to cut into the deficit 71-65 with 30 seconds remaining as he was fouled in a three-pointer. He could not convert two of three attempts keeping the game at two possessions. 

Arkansas State missed the front end of a one-and-one with 25 seconds left, and Dunning had a chance to cut the lead to a three, but his three-point attempt rimmed out with 13 seconds remaining. 

Head Coach Richie Riley 

On tonight's loss 

We didn't have our best stuff today. That wasn't our best, but you've got to give them credit. Arkansas State, they've got a really good team. We had a couple of battles with them in the regular season. I'm so disappointed for our guys. They deserve all of the success they've had this season. As disappointed as I am about this outcome, I could never be disappointed in these guys. What they've done for our program this year and for me as their Coach, I could never repay them for that. They're an incredible group of players who care about winning and love each other. They played for the name on the front of the front of their jersey all season long, and I'm so thankful I got to be their Coach." 

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