RUSTON, La. – Southern Arkansas junior guard Jaron Davis scored a game-high 18 points in a 74-52 exhibition loss to Louisiana Tech (NCAA DI) on Monday night at the Thomas Assembly Center. Davis' top scoring effort in the game would come off of the strength of 6-of-9 shooting overall and 5-of-7 from three-point range.
 
In the first half of the game, LA Tech was in an offensive rhythm as they went on to shoot 58% from the floor (14-of-24). The Muleriders (5-4), however, were able to match the highly-efficient offensive attack of the Bulldogs (9-4) and trailed by just 10 points at the break as SAU shot 57% overall from the floor (12-of-21) in the opening half.
  
Twice within the first five minutes of the second half, SAU would cut the deficit to single digits, but an 11-0 run by the Bulldogs over a 3:22 stretch pushed the LA Tech lead out to 20 points with 10:28 left in the game.
 
The LA Tech lead would grow as large as 23 points with 7:08 remaining, but an 11-3 run by the Muleriders over the next two minutes brought SAU back to within 15 points, 67-52. Nine of SAU's 11 points during that stretch were scored by Davis as he buried a trio of trifectas.
 
From there, however, the Bulldogs would out-score SAU 7-0 as they brought the game to its final score of 74-52.
 
Statistically, the Muleriders would end the game shooting 44% from the floor (20-of-45), 39% from beyond the arc (7-of-18), and 46% from the free throw line (5-of-11). All 12 active players saw action in the game and eight would score. The second-leading scorer for SAU was Alre'k Brown as he scored seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 effort from the floor. Brown also led the team and tied for the game-high in rebounding with nine (eight defensive).
 
The Muleriders will now prepare for their first countable action following the Christmas break as they are set to play host to Williams Baptist in a non-conference game at home on New Year's Eve. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Center.