Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team was unable to overcome a sizable early deficit as a hot-shooting Texas A&M-Commerce squad dealt the Muleriders a 96-78 loss on Friday night at the W.T. Watson Center.
 
The visiting Lions (7-0) would get off to a sweltering start shooting the ball over the first five minutes of play as they knocked down their first six shots of the game, three of which came from long range. Conversely, the Muleriders (2-4) struggled shooting the ball out of the gate as they were 1-for-4 from the floor and 0-for-3 from the free throw line during that opening stretch.
 
The strong start gave the Lions a commanding 15-point lead, 17-2, with 15:19 remaining in the first half. That deficit would grow to as much as 24 points at the 4:41 mark before the Muleriders ended the half on a 16-7 run to head into the locker room trailing by 15, 47-32.
 
The second half would be much of the same in terms of shooting by the Lions as they slightly bettered their percentage from the first half (60% | 15-of-25) by shooting 61% (17-of-28) in the final 20 minutes.
 
While the Lions remained hot in the second half, the Muleriders stayed in the game as they heated up their shooting efforts. In the final half, SAU turned in a 21% improvement in shooting from their first half output as they ended the second half shooting at a 54% (14-of-26) clip.
 
Despite the improved second half shooting, the Muleriders would only be able to get as close as 12 points as the early hole proved to be too much to overcome.
 
Statistically, five players scored in double-figures with Nemo Sanchez leading the way with 16 points. Reece Dunlap and Tyrell Taylor followed with 15 points each and DeAndre Scott rounded out double-digit scoring with a 10-point effort.
 
The Muleriders will get back to the court for another home non-conference game on Monday, December 2 against Central Baptist College. Tip-off for the game is set for 7 p.m. in the W.T. Watson Center.