Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – After taking a five-point lead into the break, 46-41, the Southern Arkansas women's basketball team garnered a dominant 20-point lead with 14:47 left as they ripped off a 21-6 run over the first five minutes of the second half. That huge lead would nearly dwindle away completely, however, as the hot shooting that sparked the run went cold over the final 7:26 and the Lady Muleriders were forced to hold on for a two-point win, 75-73, on Tuesday night in the W.T. Watson Center.
 
Spearheading that big second half run for the Lady Muleriders (6-3) was junior guard Allie Wade. During the run, the Siloam Springs native was responsible for 14 of the team's 21 points as she was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field. Four of those made field goals would come from beyond the arc as Wade proved to be a potent sharp-shooter. Wade would end with a game-high 23 points.
 
Despite being down by a large margin, the Javelinas (5-4) would crawl their way back into the game over the next seven minutes of play as they went on a 16-4 run to bring them to within single digits with 8:04 left in the game. During that run the Lady Muleriders turned the ball over eight times and their once hot shooting began to cool down as they were just 2-of-7 (0-of-2 3PT) from the floor. Conversely, the Javelinas' shooting heated up as they knocked down 7-of-12 shots from the floor.
 
The methodical comeback effort by the Javelinas would continue and grow more serious over the next six and a half minutes as the Lady Muleriders managed just three points on one field goal and one free throw. As the Lady Muleriders were struggling to score, the Javelinas took advantage and were able to pull to within a single point, 74-73 with 1:36 remaining in the game.
 
The final 1:36 of the game would be heart-wrenching for the home crowd as the Lady Muleriders were able to add just one more point to their total, giving them a two-point lead in the closing seconds. With five seconds left in the game, the Javelinas' Ashley Viera attempted a go-ahead three-pointer, but her shot would rattle in and out and SAU's Mariam Ridgwell would come away with the defensive rebound to secure the win for the Lady Muleriders.
 
Statistically, the Lady Muleriders shot 44% for the game from the floor (28-of-64) and were a devastating 8-of-15 (53%) from beyond the arc. Individually, the Lady Muleriders would have three players in double-figures with Wade's 23 points leading the way. Behind her was Ridgwell with 19 points followed by Stevi Cooper with a season-high 15 points.
 
Defensively, the Lady Muleriders forced 32 turnovers and came away with 15 steals. Wade led the team in steals with five.
 
On the boards, SAU hauled in 37 total rebounds (22 defensive, 15 offensive). Ridgwell led the way with a game-high 11 rebounds (six defensive, five offensive) as she scored her first double-double of the season.
 
The Lady Muleriders will now head into the Christmas break and will be back in action on Thursday, January 2 as they will play host to Southeastern Oklahoma. Game time for the GAC tilt is set for 5:30 p.m.