SAU Sports Information
MONTICELLO – The Southern Arkansas Muleriders continued their winning ways Thursday night by picking up a 92-89 road win at rival Arkansas-Monticello in Great American Conference play.
The Muleriders, riding an eight-game winning streak, will now prepare for another tough road test on Saturday afternoon as they will take on Ouachita Baptist. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. inside Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia.
The Tigers, who shared the GAC lead with the Muleriders, lost by four to Henderson State Thursday night.
While the final score ended up being close in Monticello, SAU (12-4, 8-2 GAC) truly dominated the game from the outset. With the score knotted at six-all at the 16:15 mark of the first half, the Muleriders would rip off a 23-5 run over the next four minutes of play to take an 18-point lead, 29-11.
At the 7:22 mark of the first half, the Boll Weevils (5-9, 2-8 GAC) would bring the game to within single digits, 33-25, as Cameron Blue knocked down a pair of free throws. Just over three minutes later, UAM, with 4:16 left in the first half, would shrink the Muleriders’ lead to four points, 41-37.
That would be as close as the Boll Weevils would get before halftime, however, as the Muleriders closed out the first half on a 10-1 run to take a 13-point lead into the break, 51-38.
Through the first three minutes of the second half, UAM was able to once again cut their deficit into single digits, but book-ended trifectas from Chauncy Williams at the 16:37 mark and 14:26 mark thrust the Muleriders back in control of the game.
With just under five minutes left to play, however, UAM would ignite themselves from three-point range as they started to shoot their way back into the game. All told, the Boll Weevils would knock down six three-pointers, with four makes coming in the final minute and change left in the game.
Despite the late-game run, the Muleriders were ultimately able to withstand the Boll Weevil fury from long range, and ironically came away with a three-point win, 92-89.
Statistically, the Muleriders would have four players in double figures with Alre’k Brown leading the way with 20 points on an efficient 9-of-12 (75%) shooting from the floor. One point back of Brown was Jaron Davis with 19 points. Williams and Deon Andrews would round out double-digit scoring with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
As a team, the Muleriders would enjoy season-highs in field goal percentage (57%; 37-of-65) and points (92).
GAC standings
SAU....................12-4, 8-2
OBU....................11-4, 7-3
East Central......13-5, 7-3
Harding..............8-8, 6-4
HSU.....................8-8, 5-5
SW Okla............10-7, 4-6
So. Nazarene.....8-8, 4-6
ATU...................8-10, 4-6
SE Okla.............8-10, 4-6
NW Okla..........5-12, 4-6
UAM....................5-9, 2-8