Muleriders Stung 72-66 by Yellow Jackets

By: Houston Taylor

LONGVIEW, Texas – Southern Arkansas locked up in a see-saw battle with LeTourneau Saturday before the Yellow Jackets finally came out on top, 72-66, at Solheim Arena.

LeTourneau (1-1) held a 30-29 edge at the break in a game that saw nine ties and seven lead changes. The Muleriders (1-3) were up 41-37 with 12:56 remaining on David Noble’s three-pointer, but the teams essentially traded leads over the next four minutes with Charles Moore’s two free throws giving SAU a 48-46 edge at 8:29. The Jackets’ J.J. Rockmore then hit a trey and LeTourneau never trailed again. Southern Arkansas managed to tie it up three more times, the last at 56-56 on Justin Stuart’s lay-up with five minutes left. But a 10-3 run culminating on Dale Vanwright’s two freebies with 55 ticks left gave the Yellow Jackets a seven-point cushion as they went on to the six-point margin.

Tony James’ lay-up gave the Muleriders a 21-12 lead at 8:36 in the first, but Rockmore’s jumper ignited a 12-2 run as LeTourneau quickly erased their deficit over the next 2:30.

SAU shot a season-best 46.8 percent (22-47) from the field, but it didn’t match up to the Jackets’ 50.9 percent (27-53).

Vanwright led all players with 17 points, hitting 5 of 12 from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws. Rockmore finished with 13 and six rebounds, and Dusty Evers had 12 points.

Stuart had his first career double-double in leading Southern Arkansas with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Noble and Moore scored 14 each, and James and Channin Harden added 10 points apiece.

The Muleriders held a 30-28 rebound advantage, but committed 22 turnovers to LeTourneau’s 18. The Yellow Jackets’ bench out-scored SAU’s, 34-20.

Southern Arkansas hosts Champion Baptist Monday at 7 p.m.