Southern Arkansas built a 16-point first half lead, but had to hold on down the stretch to defeat Southeastern Oklahoma 73-64 Saturday afternoon in GAC play.
“We had several players step up in a game where only one free throw was shot between the two teams in the first half. It seemed like we had a ton of them were shot in the second half,” said SAU’s Andy Sharpe.
The Muleriders (12-2, 7-1 GAC) have again reeled off six consecutive victories. They had six straight wins to start the season before suffering a two-point road defeat at Harding.
“We did a really good job of executing down the stretch, and I was proud of our mentality towards the end,” said the coach, adding the game was different in both halves.
He noted there were very few stoppages in the first half and more of a full-court game.
“The game was moving at such a tempo that quite frankly I don’t think the officials got into position to see what was going on. In the second half, things slowed down and it became more of a half-court game,” he said.
The Savage Storm never led, falling behind 7-0 at the start and 20-10 at the midway point.
The Muleriders, behind 3-pointers from Gabe Gilliam and Frank Royles, built a 16-point advantage, 35-19, late in the half.
The Savage Storm used a 9-2 run to close the first half and trailed the Muleriders 37-28 at intermission.
The Muleriders went to the charity stripe 14 times in the second half and made 11, compared to not visiting the line during the first 20 minutes.
The Savage Storm nipped away at the lead early in the second half, cutting the deficit to 48-44 by the midway point.
SAU’s lead was down to two, 54-52, with 5:40 to play but the Muleriders withstood the comeback to claim the win. Sharpe said the Savage Storm is a well-coach team and he knew they wouldn’t give up.
“They have some good players and they kept battling. They provide a lot of challenges, but fortunately for our guys we were able to meet them,” said Sharpe.
The coach said he was disappointed in SAU’s rebounding effort. The Muleriders were out-rebounded 35-31, which Sharpe said was the first time that has happened in a while.
“Give credit to Southeastern. They hit the glass and didn’t back away from a physical game,” he added.
DeVante Brooks led the Muleriders in scoring with 12 points and Gilliam added 11. Seven other Muleriders scored five or more points in the contest.
“That’s the way it’s going to be with us this season, because we play so many guys. Some players are probably going to go without postseason honors because of what we are doing as a team,” said Sharpe. “All these guys have bought in to what we are trying to do for the program. If they hadn’t bought in, our record wouldn’t be what it is today.”
The Muleriders will now focus their attention on an important road trip to Monticello Thursday night.
The UAM Weevils (10-4, 6-2) had a share of the conference lead before losing by five to East Central Oklahoma over the weekend.
SAU now shares the conference lead with Oklahoma Baptist.
GAC standings (men’s)
SAU.....................12-2, 7-1
Okla. Baptist..........8-6, 7-1
So. Nazarene......13-3, 6-2
UAM....................10-4, 6-2
East Central..........l8-5, 5-3
SE Okla.................9-4, 5-4
Henderson...........10-5, 5-4
OBU.......................6-6, 3-5
Harding..................5-9, 3-5
Ark. Tech..............3-11, 1-7
NW Okla..............3-11, 1-7
SE Okla................3-11, 0-8
Lady Tigers 75,
Lady Muleriders 61
Southeastern Oklahoma’s Katie Webb poured in 36 points but the Savage Storm still had to hold on to beat Southern Arkansas 75-61 Saturday afternoon.
Webb hit 12-of-20 shots that mainly came around the rim.
The Lady Muleriders gave up 40 points in the paint and the Savage Storm was 21-of-26 from the free-throw line.
The Lady Muleriders could never gain a lead in the game, falling behind 12-2 early and eventually trailing 20-7 after the first quarter.
Southeastern went on to build a 19-point lead in the second period and were up 39-28 at half-time.
The inside play of Jerica Bell, along with 3-pointers from Maggie Evans, Brett Wacha and Olivia McWilliams, kept the Lady Muleriders within striking distance.
SAU continued to battle back in the third quarter, cutting the lead to three with less than a minute on the clock.
The Lady Mulerders trailed 56-51 after three quarters.
It was a six-point game, 63-57, with 3:30 to play but Southeastern held off SAU and won by 14.
Bell led SAU in scoring with 13 points before fouling out, while Kylie Warren added 12.
Lena Maledon finished with 10.
The Lady Muleriders (1-13, 0-8 GAC) are still seeking their first conference win and looking snap an 11-game losing streak.
They will play at UAM Thursday night against the Cotton Blossoms, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
GAC standings (women’s)
SW Okla..............13-1, 8-0
SE Okla.................9-4, 7-2
East Central.........11-3, 6-2
Henderson...........11-4, 6-3
Harding................10-4, 5-3
So. Nazarene.........5-9, 4-4
Okla. Baptist..........7-7, 3-5
OBU.......................5-9, 3-5
UAM......................4-9, 3-5
Ark. Tech................5-9, 2-6
NW Okla..............5-10, 2-6
SAU.....................1-13, 0-8