By: Houston Taylor
SEARCY, Ark. – Southern Arkansas had No. 15 North Alabama on the ropes for 30 minutes, but the Lions (7-2) roared back in the latter part of the second half for a 78-66 win Friday in the Harding Classic at Rhodes Field House.
After holding a 38-33 advantage at halftime, the Muleriders were still on top, 56-53, at the 10:10 mark, but UNA rattled off a 21-6 run over the next 8:35 for a 74-62 margin and lead they never relinquished. SAU picked a bad time to go cold from the floor, hitting only 3 of 11 during the deciding span.
Southern Arkansas (4-5) kept its opponent at bay for the majority of the game, trailing only twice in the first frame. Junior guard Tony James’ lay-up put the Muleriders back on top 17-16 at 8:57 and they stretched that to a 37-28 lead with 2:03 remaining before settling for the five-point margin at the break.
SAU stayed in front until Corey Speight and Kenny Johnson hit jumpers to push the Lions ahead, 54-53 at 10:41 in the second. Red-shirt freshman Cory Clark then canned a trey and sophomore guard Channin Harden added a jumper for Southern Arkansas’ 56-53 advantage.
Both teams were evenly matched, with UNA’s run simply being the difference in the game. North Alabama shot 48.4 percent from the floor, hitting 30 of 62, while the Muleriders were 28 of 58 for 48.3 percent. The Lions were 9 of 21 (42.9) from downtown to SAU’s 7 of 19 (36.8).
Free throws continued to plague Southern Arkansas for the second consecutive game, not the shooting percentage, but rather the lack of attempts. The Muleriders went to the line just four times, making three, while UNA was 9 of 13. SAU has now attempted just 10 freebies in its past two games, converting seven.
Jarelle Redden led four North Alabama players in double figures, finishing with 16 points. Thomas Fraise had 14 and grabbed eight rebounds.
Senior forward Charles Moore matched Redden with 16 points in pacing Southern Arkansas and pulled down a game-high nine boards. Harden had 14 points and tossed out five assists, and Clark added 10 points.
The Lions held a 36-26 rebound advantage and committed 12 turnovers to the Muleriders’ 13.
SAU continues play in the classic Saturday when they square off against another Gulf South Conference East member in Alabama-Huntsville. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
