Box Score Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team came into Saturday night's game at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center riding a three-game winning streak, but saw their winning ways temporarily halted as Southeastern Oklahoma defeated the Muleriders by a score of 72-66.
 
The Muleriders (9-12, 5-10 GAC) grabbed the game's initial lead on a mid-range jumper by Tevin Worthy. SAU did not relinquish that lead until the 7:28 mark of the first half when the Savage Storm's (12-9, 8-7 GAC) Quinton Threadgill made good on a layup. Southeastern momentarily lost the lead to the Muleriders a couple of minutes later, but would eventually head into the locker room with a slim lead, 28-26.
 
In the first half, the Savage Storm shot 48% (12-of-25) from the field, but managed just the two-point halftime lead despite the Muleriders shooting 29% (10-of-35) from the field.
 
The pace of the game and scoring would increase in the second half as both teams began to knock down shots at a more efficient clip.  
 
A quick 4-0 run to start the second half gave the Muleriders their first lead since the 5:48 mark of the first half. Eventually, the Muleriders would swell their lead out to as much as eight points, 52-44, with 11:14 remaining. After that, the Muleriders' offense went into a lull over the next 6:32 of the game.
 
During that time, the Savage Storm ripped off a 16-0 run to capture an eight-point lead of their own with 4:16 remaining. The Muleriders would get as close as four points with 34 seconds remaining, but lost by a margin of six points, 72-66.
 
The Muleriders had three players score in double figures with Daviel Clements and Nigel Jones leading the way with 12 points each. Darrin Johnson was behind Clements and Jones with 11 points. Seven other Muleriders contributed points as well.
 
The Muleriders will now take to the road as they are set to travel to Bethany, Okla. on Thursday, February 14th to take on Southern Nazarene. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m.