ARAKDELPHIA, Ark. – In a matchup of two of the top teams in the Great American Conference, the Southern Arkansas men's basketball team saw their eight-game winning streak be snapped as Ouachita Baptist knocked off SAU by a score of 77-70 on Saturday evening inside the Bill Vining Arena.
 
The highly-anticipated rematch between the Muleriders (12-5, 8-3 GAC) and the Tigers (12-4, 8-3 GAC) proved to be a tight and physical affair, especially early on. Through the first seven minutes of the game, the score was tied six times as both teams essentially traded buckets until the 12:57 mark.
 
Over the next four minutes, play remained close, but a 10-2 burst that started at the 8:26 mark by the Tigers, thrust OBU ahead by 10 points, 29-19, with 6:46 left in the opening half.
 
Trailing by that margin with 3:44 remaining before halftime, the Muleriders would go on a steady 10-1 run to close out the half to bring their deficit to a single point, 35-34. Capping that run was a three-pointer by Jaron Davis as time in the half was expiring.
 
Coming out of the half, the Tigers would extend their lead out to six points, 40-34, thanks to a quick 5-0 run, but the Muleriders battled through it and eventually tied the game at 43-all on a free throw by Deon Andrews with 14:53 left in the game.
 
Still at the line and with a chance to take the lead at that point, Andrews' second free throw attempt would not fall and the Tigers took advantage with a layup on their ensuing possession to remain in the lead.
 
Over the next five and a half minutes, OBU would gain control of the game as they out-scored the Muleriders by 10 during that stretch as the Tigers built their largest lead of the game, 12 points, with 8:54 to go.
 
OBU would maintain a double-digit lead until the 4:46 mark when Andrews buried a three-pointer from the far corner to cap a personal 5-0 run. Two and a half minutes later, the Muleriders cut their deficit down to four points, 66-62, thanks to consecutive layups by DJ Frye.
 
That would be as close as SAU could get, however, as the Tigers missed just one shot from the field (2-of-3) and converted 6-of-8 free throw chances over the final two minutes of the game to stave off the Muleriders.
 
With the game's result and other finals from around the league on Saturday, there is now a three-way tie atop the GAC standings with SAU, OBU, and East Central all at 8-3 in the GAC.
 
Statistically, the Muleriders would have three players in double figures with Davis' 16 points leading the team. Behind Davis was Andrews with 11 points and Chauncy Williams rounded out double-digit scoring with 10. Big man Kevin Jordan had a solid game on both ends of the court as he scored nine points and hauled in a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
The Muleriders will now return home for a pivotal rematch against Arkansas Tech on Thursday, January 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Center.