MAGNOLIA, Ark. – In the waning moments of Thursday night's game against Harding University, the Southern Arkansas defense stood tall and came up with a block with 39 seconds left to keep the game tied at 62-all. On their next defensive opportunity, the Muleriders would register another block as the buzzer was sounding to preserve a 64-62 win for SAU.
 
In between those two blocks was the go-ahead and eventual game-winning bucket by Alre'k Brown in the paint with eight seconds left in the game. Just seconds earlier, Brown had authoritatively swatted away the first of the Muleriders' (3-2, 2-1 GAC) key blocks at the end of the game.
 
Following Brown's made shot, Harding pushed the ball up the court looking to get off a potential game-winning three-pointer, but great defense just across the timeline forced the Bisons (3-4, 1-1 GAC) to call a timeout with just 0.5 seconds left to go. On the ensuing inbounds play, Harding got the ball to Will Francis, who was able to make it to the top of the arc, but Tyrell Taylor was there to meet him as Taylor notched the game-ending block as time expired.  
 
The stout defensive showing by the Muleriders in the second half was a clear turnaround from the first half where Harding was able to get off and knock down some open shots, particularly from long range. In that first half, Harding would shoot 13-of-32 (41%) with eight of those made field goals coming from beyond the three-point line. In the second half, however, the Muleriders would hold Harding to 9-of-28 shooting (32%) from the floor and just 2-of-11 from three-point range (18%).
 
Helping spark that defensive surge in the second half for the Muleriders was junior forward Alvin Braddock. In the second half alone, Braddock would pull down nine rebounds (seven defensive) while scoring 10 points on offensive. By the game's end, Braddock would have a game-high 14 rebounds and 16 points as he recorded his first double-double of the season.
 
Thanks, in part to Braddock's tenacious play on the defensive end, the Muleriders, were able to take that momentum and convert it into points on the offensive end as they shot 52% (12-of-23) overall in the second half. For the game, the Muleriders would shoot 48% (26-of-54) while limiting Harding to 37% shooting (22-of-60).
 
Three other Muleriders would join Braddock in double-digit scoring with DJ Frye being the second-leading scorer with 13 points. Chauncy Williams was next with 12 points and Brown added 10.
 
The Muleriders will now prepare for another home conference game on Saturday as they play host to Ouachita Baptist. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 4 p.m.