Box Score

ALVA, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team had their second half comeback attempt kept at bay by Northwestern Oklahoma as the Rangers knocked down 9-of-10 free throws over the final minute of the game en route to beating the Muleriders 89-83 on Saturday evening at the Percefull Fieldhouse.
 
After trailing by 14 points at the break, 52-38, the Muleriders (9-10, 5-8 GAC) quickly found themselves down by the largest margin of the game, 16 points, as the Rangers' (7-11, 4-8 GAC) Brandon Wooley knocked down a jumper on NWOSU's first possession of the second half.  
 
The Rangers would continue to hold a double-digit lead over the Muleriders until the 12:03 mark of the second half when a made free throw by Jeffrey Walker brought SAU to within nine points, 66-57. A couple of minutes later, the Muleriders were trailing by double digits once more, but a 10-0 run knotted the game at 69-all with 7:47 left to play.
 
The Rangers would withstand that run by the Muleriders and not relinquish their lead as they scored the next three points on free throws to maintain their lead. The Muleriders would get back to within three points on three separate occasions over the final minutes of the game, but clutch free throw shooting by the Rangers did not allow the Muleriders to gain any ground.
 
Four Muleriders scored in double figures with Chauncy Williams leading the way with 23 points. Behind him was Walker with 19 points and Tyrell Taylor with 18 points. Duke Reed rounded out double-figure scoring with 16 points.
 
The Muleriders will now prepare for another Oklahoma swing next week as they travel to Ada, Okla. and Durant, Okla. to take on East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma. The first of those games is a Thursday night meeting with East Central on February 6. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.