Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – A closely-contested game throughout ended in a tough 76-68 loss for the Southern Arkansas men's basketball team as they were upended by visiting Southwestern Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon in the W.T. Watson Center.
 
In the first half alone, there were eight tie scores and nine lead changes as the Muleriders (2-3, 0-2 GAC) and the Bulldogs (3-2, 2-0 GAC) seemingly traded baskets through the first 15 minutes of the game. The Bulldogs would break away slightly at the close of the half, however, as they went on a 12-2 run over the final five minutes to take a 37-29 lead into the locker room. Before the SWOSU run, the score was knotted at 27-all.
 
Immediately after the break, SAU found themselves down by their largest margin of the game, 10 points, as SWOSU's Kenyon Boarders scored a layup on the first possession of the second half. From that point, however, the Muleriders' offense got rolling as they ripped off a 9-0 run over the next 2:51 to pull to within a point, 39-38.
 
The Bulldogs would withstand that fury by the Muleriders and maintained a slight lead over the next five minutes of play. SAU would knot the score three times during that stretch before they grabbed their first lead of the second half with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.
 
The Mulerider lead would not last long, however as the Bulldogs recaptured the lead on a three-pointer by Bret Atkins with 10:51 left in the second half. That lead change would be the final one of the game as the Bulldogs eventually earned an eight-point win, 76-68.
 
Statistically, the Muleriders shot 42% from the floor (22-of-53), but struggled from deep, shooting 17% (4-of-24). SAU did improve at the free throw line as they shot a season-best 80% (20-of-25).
 
Individually, the Muleriders were led in scoring by Jeffrey Walker as he scored 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Quintin Lee and Alre'k Brown joined Walker with double-figure scoring as Lee scored 12 points and Brown 11. Brown would lead the team with nine rebounds, eight of which came on the defensive glass.
 
The Muleriders will next be in action on Tuesday, November 26 as they will travel to Little Rock to take on the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. The game, which will tip at 7 p.m., will be an exhibition for the Muleriders. Their next countable game will come on Friday, November 29 as they play host to Texas A&M-Commerce. Tip-off in the W.T. Watson Center is set for 7 p.m.