ESPN Men's Basketball

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Ed Townsel scored 31 points Thursday night and Arkansas State defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 87-70.

Raeford Worsham added 18 points for the Red Wolves (7-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) and Marcus Hooten scored 11 points.

Elfrid Payton led the Ragin' Cajuns (5-9, 1-2) with 20 points. Alan-Michael Thompson scored 13 points, Shawn Long scored 11 and Josh Soto had 10 points for Louisiana-Lafayette.

Payton scored the game's first basket before Arkansas State scored the next 13 points. Louisiana-Lafayette did get within three points later in the half and was down 38-30 at the break, but the Red Wolves scored the first eight points after halftime and eventually built their lead to 26 points.

Arkansas State shot 46 percent for the game and was 29 for 37 from the free-throw line.