[December 30, 2006]

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Another slow second half start dropped Southern Arkansas University in a hole it couldn’t dig out of, as the Muleriders lost a 50-40 decision to Georgia College & State University Saturday at the Armstrong Atlantic State SpringHill Suites Midtown New Year Classic. Armstrong Atlantic State, which defeated SAU, 74-64, Friday, and Georgia College & State finished the Classic undefeated.

A malfunctioning hydraulic system on one of the goals delayed play in the SAU-GCSU contest, and eventually pushed the game to the Aquatics and Recreation Center – the old home of the Armstrong Atlantic men’s basketball team that had not seen a men’s college game competed in it since 1994-95.

The Bobcats (10-1) used their size advantage in gaining the victory, despite shooting just 26.8 percent from the floor. GCSU bombed Southern Arkansas on the boards, 50-31, and outscored the Muleriders on second chance points, off 25 offensive rebounds, 14-0. Still, SAU (5-7) hung in there against one of the toughest teams in the nation, trailing only 26-22 at the break.

Southern Arkansas held an 8-5 advantage on a Brandon Williams three with 15:59 left in the first half before a 10-2 run by Georgia College & State pushed them to a 15-10 lead at 10:19. Williams was back on the floor for the Muleriders after smashing heads with teammate Cory Green in Friday’s game. The two teams were nip and tuck the remainder of the half, with Rolando Little’s jumper pulling SAU to within one, 23-22, with 2:15 left. Shaun Keaton’s trey 16 ticks later set the margin at the break.

As has been the custom for the young team for most of the season, Southern Arkansas came out flat in the second frame, hitting one of its four field goal attempts, and watching the Bobcats go on a 9-2 run to stretch their margin to 35-24 with 15:18 on the clock. The Muleriders, who haven’t shown quit all year, responded with their own 9-2 spree, however, and were within four, 37-33, on another Williams’ trey at 9:08. But, GCSU regrouped and scored nine unanswered points for their largest lead of the game at 46-33, with 4:43 left in the contest. SAU couldn’t answer from there and Georgia College & State coasted to the low-scoring victory.

It was a dismal shooting performance by both teams – the Bobcats hitting only 15 of 56 shots, and Southern Arkansas just 15 of 45 for 33.3 percent. GCSU managed six of 20 from downtown for 30 percent, while the Muleriders were only five of 18 for 27.8 percent. SAU’s 20 personal fouls sent their opponent to the foul stripe for 24 attempts, but Georgia College & State converted only 14 for 58.3 percent, while Southern Arkansas was only five of 10.

Surprisingly, turnovers were low, the Muleriders committing only 11, while the Bobcats had 13.

Only two players from the game ended in double-figure scoring. Aaron Clark led GCSU with 14 points, while Little dumped in 12 for SAU. Levert Clark added eight points for Georgia College & State and pulled down a whopping 19 rebounds, including 11 offensive.

Williams finished with nine points for Southern Arkansas, while leading scorer Green was held to just five. Brandon Bealer pulled down six rebounds and served up nine assists in the game.

The Muleriders return home Thursday to host Ecclesia College, out of Springdale, for a final non-conference tune-up. SAU opens Gulf South Conference play Saturday, hosting Christian Brothers. Thursday’s tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

#SAU#