Box Score MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Junior forward Nigel Jones (Wadley, Ala.) recorded a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds in helping lead Southern Arkansas to its first Great American Conference win of the season Thursday in a 66-54 decision over Ouachita Baptist at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
 
The Muleriders (4-3, 1-2 GAC) snapped a three-game skid with the victory, while the Tigers (4-3, 1-2 GAC) suffered their second consecutive league loss.
 
Jones scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the second half, starting the frame with a lay-up and three-pointer.  But it was at the free throw line that secured the win at the end as SAU connected on 9 of 10 over the final two minutes.
 
OBU had climbed back to within 55-51 at 2:03 on two freebies from Julian LaDay and then resorted to the foul game.  Jones canned two foul shots, junior guard Brandon Demmings (Indianapolis, Ind.) knocked down 5 of 6, and junior forward Tevin Worthy (Little Rock) put the final points on the board with a pair with 23 ticks left in the game.
 
Ouachita Baptist missed both its free throws and was 1 of 4 from the floor during that span as Southern Arkansas closed out the game with an 11-3 run for the win.
 
The Tigers kept within striking distance for the duration and had leads of one twice in the first half.  The Muleriders closed out the opening frame with a 16-8 spree for a 29-22 advantage at the break.
 
The defensive game kept both teams at poor shooting percentages, with SAU finishing at 37.7 percent on 20 of 53, and OBU hitting at 31.8 percent on 21 of 66.  Ouachita Baptist launched 30 three-pointers, making only five for just 16.7 percent, while Southern Arkansas was 6 of 15 (40 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
The Muleriders finished 20 of 27 (74.1 percent) at the free throw line and the Tigers were 7 of 11.
 
SAU also got 10 points from senior guard Rodney Hill (Shreveport, La.).  Worthy just missed his own double, finishing with eight points and nine rebounds.
 
Austin Mitchell led OBU with 13 points.  LaDay and Michael Morris scored 10 points each, with Morris pulling down seven rebounds.
 
Southern Arkansas committed 23 turnovers, but overcame that with a 48-34 rebound advantage.
 
The Muleriders continue GAC play Saturday, hosting Henderson State at approximately 4 p.m. following the women's game.