Four Southern Arkansas Muleriders scored in double figures during an 88-55 GAC win over Harding Thursday night.
"This was a good win in beating Harding and I feel for that team right now. But our guards were doomed to have a good game and I was pleased with the way they responded," said Muleriders' head coach Andy Sharpe.
SAU knocked down 13 3-pointers, with Draylan Perkins leading with five and Keeton Tennison adding four. A pair of freshmen, Magnolia's Trey Davis and Gabe Gilliam of Shreveport, La., had two apiece.
"Anytime guards are making 3-pointers, it opens things up inside. When the inside-outside game is working, we become difficult to guard," explained the coach.
Perkins led all scores with 19, followed by 16 from Tennison. Wesley Nosakhare had 14 points, while Davis added 10.
"I keep saying I like our guys. Everyone contributed, everyone scored and everyone grabbed at least one rebound. I'm really pleased we are able to string two GAC wins together," said Sharpe. DeVante Brooks led the Muleriders (6-7, 2-5 GAC) in rebounding with 11.
The Bisons (0-12, 0-7 GAC) are still seeking their first win.
The Muleriders' first four buckets were from behind the 3-point arc, with Tennison knocking down three and Perkins providing the other.
SAU led 9-2 early in the contest and was up 16-5 at the 15-minute mark when Nosakhare scored underneath the basket.
A 3-pointer by Davis at the 8:44 mark put SAU up 27-16. Beginning at the five-minute mark, the Muleriders went on a 13-0 run and built a 28-point lead, 42-14, following a slam by Nosakhare.
SAU led 44-18 at the half.
Harding never threatened in the second half. The Muleriders led by 30, 73-43, following Davis' second 3-pointer at the 8:48 mark.
With five minute to play, SAU went up 83-49, before winning by 33 points.
"I believe we have things trending in the right way and hopefully I can keep pushing the right buttons. With a couple of players leaving the team and going 0-5 in conference play, it would've been easy to roll over," said Sharpe. "Things like that can either break you down and bring you together. Right now, it looks like they are bringing us together."
According to the coach, it's a day-to-day thing and his team must continue to do a good job of controlling what it can.
Sharpe said he was proud of the team's defensive effort.
"When you play defense the way we did tonight, you always give yourself a chance," he said.
The coach also praise his young plays like Davis and Gilliam, as well as the upperclassmen for providing the leadership.
The Muleriders will get back into league action Saturday afternoon in Russellville against Arkansas Tech. at 3 p.m.