[November 25, 2006]

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Dallas Baptist University used a strong first half, and then held off a Southern Arkansas University rally to take a 72-67 decision Saturday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. With the win, the Patriots improve to 2-2, while the Muleriders drop to 1-3 in their home-opener.

Southern Arkansas got on the scoreboard first after a lay-up by Cameron Butler. A three-pointer by Erik Villarreal, followed by a jumper by Manny Montano gave Dallas Baptist a 5-2 lead. Cory Green buried a three-pointer to tie the game at 5-5 before the Patriots managed to get momentum on their side. DBU eventually went up by 12 points with 6:11 remaining in the half after Nick Michels connected on a jumper to put the Patriots up 24-12. SAU went on a 17-7 run to narrow Dallas Baptist’s lead to 31-29 to close the first half.

Both teams continued to pound on each other early in the second half. Cameron Butler’s lay-up tied the score for the Muleriders, 35-35, at the 17:12 mark. The Muleriders eventually went up by five points, 40-35, before falling behind by six with 11:02 remaining in the game. Southern Arkansas tied the game again at 50-50 when Butler dropped another lay-up. Two free throws by Jonathan Teat gave DBU a two-point lead, 52-50. Caleb Winter knocked down two three-pointers as the Muleriders took a four-point lead 56-52. The Patriots stormed back to tie the game at 61-61 after a jumper by Michels. Dallas Baptist outscored Southern Arkansas 11-6 in the last 2:12 of the game to secure the win.

Nick Michels and Jonathan Teat led DBU with 19 points apiece. Michels was five of 10 from the field and eight of 10 at the free throw line, while Teat was six of 10 in shooting and three of five at the free throw line. Dwight Coleman added 11 points. Brandon Wash had a game-high seven rebounds, and Michels also swiped five steals.

Cameron Butler, a true freshman out of Malvern, played a team-high 33 minutes for the Muleriders, scoring a game-high 20 points. He was nine of 14 from the field, 0-1 on threes, and two of four at the charity stripe. Leon Stone chipped in 18 points and two blocked shots. Caleb Winters added 15 points, hitting four of five threes, and Cory Green hit for nine points, had a team-high six rebounds, and dished out four assists.

SAU held a 34-27 rebounding advantage in the game, but DBU got 28 points off of 17 Mulerider turnovers, including 22 off of 11 in the first half. The Patriots committed 13 turnovers.

The Patriots shot 50 percent (24-48) from the field, 46.2 percent (6-13) in threes, and 66.7 percent (18-27) at the charity stripe.

The Muleriders made 24 out of 53 shots from the field for 45.3 percent, six out of 17 in threes for 35.3 percent, and 13 out of 20 freebies for 65 percent.

Southern Arkansas tries to rebound Tuesday as they host Champion Baptist College out of Hot Springs at 8 p.m.

#SAU#