Southern Arkansas Outlasts Southeastern Oklahoma State

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas overcame an early first half deficit and fought off a game Southeastern Oklahoma State club at the end for a 70-64 win Wednesday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

The Muleriders (2-0) held an 11-point advantage at 52-41 with 9:43 to play, but the Savage Storm (0-1) cut it to a four-point game on four different occasions in the final 3:15. SAU held solid though, converting six consecutive free throws in the final 30 seconds, two from junior guard David Noble (Mansfield, Texas) and four by junior guard Channin Harden (Marianna), to secure the win.

SAU jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the first half, but SOSU countered with a 14-4 run over the next seven minutes for a 19-14 advantage at 6:54. Southern Arkansas fought back though, taking the lead for good with 1:21 left in the first half at 29-28 on Noble’s jumper. Sophomore guard Chase Spruiell (Princeton, Texas) added a three-pointer seconds later for a 32-28 Mulerider advantage at the break.

SAU won it at the free throw line after shooting just 3 of 10 from the stripe in Tuesday’s season-opening win over Champion Baptist. Against Southeastern Oklahoma they converted 24 of 28 for an 85.7 percent clip. That overshadowed a 40-23 rebound deficit and 32 points inside that the Savage Storm scored.

Southern Arkansas again took good care of the ball, suffering just 13 turnovers, while forcing 21 by SOSU. The Muleriders finished 20 of 46 from the floor for 43.5 percent, including 6 of 13 (46.2) treys. Southeastern Oklahoma State was 22 of 55 (40.0) overall, 2 of 9 (22.2) from beyond the arc, and hit 18 of 23 (78.3) free throws.

Junior forward Justin Stuart (Hope) paced SAU with a game-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Stuart’s 8 of 12 at the free throw line were Southern Arkansas’ only misses at the charity stripe.

Spruiell and Noble chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively, off the bench, with Spruiell also passing out four assists. Harden added 12 points, including being perfect on eight free throws.

The Savage Storm got 13 points from Chris Roussell, and 12 apiece from William Slones and Jordan Lee. Chibuzo Elonu posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 boards.

The Muleriders host Northeastern (Okla.) State Monday at 7 p.m.

Photos by Aaron Morris