[January 8, 2008]

Contact: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas bombed 11 first half three-pointers on its way to a 68-56 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State Tuesday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. It was the Muleriders’ second win over the Savage Storm (3-10) this season as they handed them a 71-49 setback December 21 in Durant.

SAU shot 51.9 percent on 14 of 27 from the field in the first half to take a 45-33 lead at the break. All but three of those came from beyond the arc as they got their 11 treys in 17 attempts for a sizzling 64.7 percent clip from downtown. Using a full-court press, Southern Arkansas also got after it on the defensive end in the opening frame, holding their opponent to 11 of 25 (44.0) and five three’s, and forcing 11 turnovers which they converted into 18 points.

SOSU jumped out to a 5-2 lead at 17:22, but the Muleriders quickly went to work, scoring 19 unanswered points, including the last 15 on three-pointers, for a commanding 21-5 advantage in a span of 4:15. From there, SAU hit five more treys for 30 consecutive points from the long ball, and a 36-22 margin with 4:38 left. During the approximate 13-minute span they hit 10 of 13 three’s, including seven consecutive, as six different Muleriders got in on the bombing spree. Brandon Williams canned almost half himself with four, Scotty Lott added two, and Cory Green, David Noble, Mori Turpin, and Caleb Winters all knocked one home. Turpin finally snapped the streak with a two-point jumper at 4:31. SAU eventually went on to a 21-point margin (43-22) at 3:31 on their final three of the half as Turpin connected again. Southern Arkansas relaxed though, and allowed Southeastern Oklahoma to end the half with an 11-2 run.

As consistent shooting the ball as the Muleriders were in the first frame was as bad as they were in the second. SAU went cold, getting just eight of 27 (29.6) to go down, including only one of seven (14.3) treys. Holding a 56-39 edge at 12:35, they missed eight consecutive shots and suffered four turnovers as the Savage Storm ran off 10 points to cut it to 56-49 at 6:31. Two jumpers from Turpin and one from Noble bailed Southern Arkansas out as they kept it in double-digits the rest of the way.

The Muleriders finished 22 of 54 (40.7) for the game, including 12 of 24 three’s, and hit 12 of 17 (70.6) free throws. SOSU was 20 of 43 (46.5), six of 18 (33.3), and 10 of 12 (83.3).

Turpin put up a team-high 14 points on five of eight shooting, with two of four beyond the arc, and hit both free throws. Williams had 12 points, all in the first half, hitting four of six from downtown, and Green added 10 points and tossed out five assists. Cameron Butler grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and chipped in eight points.

Southeastern Oklahoma’s Kyric Rambo posted a game-high 20 points, hitting two three-pointers himself. Ken Reed added 12 points and seven boards.

SAU came into the game leading the Gulf South Conference in turnover margin at +7.1 and was fifth in the nation at only 12.3 turnovers per game. They did nothing to hurt their turnover margin in forcing 23 Savage Storm miscues while committing 15 themselves. Rebounds were even at 29 apiece.

Southern Arkansas finishes the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 9-4 mark, their best season start since a 10-3 beginning in 2001-02. The Muleriders get GSC West Division play underway Saturday when they travel to Memphis to face Christian Brothers in a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.