MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Leading by two points at the 5:37 mark of the second half, the Southern Arkansas men's basketball team ripped off a 12-0 run over the next 2:18 of the game to essentially put the Great American Conference clash against Henderson State out of reach as SAU eventually cruised to a 10-point win, 79-69, on Saturday evening inside the W.T. Watson Center.
 
In the first half of Saturday's game, play was closely-contested as there were four tie scores and three lead changes within the first 11 minutes of action. The last of those lead changes would go in favor of the Muleriders (7-4, 4-2 GAC) as Alvin Braddock threw down a dunk off of an assist by Jaron Davis to break a 12-all tie at the 8:52 mark of the first half.
 
From there, the Muleriders would remain in the lead and headed into the break with a six-point lead, 32-26.
 
In the second half, play continued to be very close as Henderson threatened the Muleriders' lead early in the half by knotting the score up three times within the first eight minutes of play. SAU, however, would stave off each threat and maintained their lead over the Reddies (6-6, 3-3 GAC). 
 
Despite not relinquishing their lead at any point in the second half, the Muleriders were still unable to swell their lead into double digits as Henderson fought to keep the game close. That all changed, however at the 5:37 mark of the second half as SAU began their game-sealing 12-0 run.
 
The start of that run was a pair of made free throws by Tyrell Taylor. On the Henderson's ensuing possession, Jaron Davis would come away with a steal to set up a three-pointer by Chauncy Williams on the other end of the court.
 
Seconds later, Davis returned to his stealing ways as he poked his hand into the passing lane for another steal. This time it was Davis who finished the job in transition as he layed one in on the break, giving the Muleriders a nine-point lead and prompting a timeout by Henderson.
 
Out of the timeout, the Muleriders would pull down a defensive rebound off of a missed three-pointer and on their trip down the floor, Kevin Jordan would tip in a bucket off of a miss by Taylor. Now leading by 11 points, the Muleriders would stretch their lead to 14 points as Williams made good on three free throw attempts after he was fouled on a three-point shot in the corner near SAU's bench.
 
From there, Henderson would continue to battle, but the Muleriders were able to maintain a double-digit lead through the final horn.
 
Statistically, the Muleriders shot 48% overall from the floor (22-of-46) and were a season-best 69% from the charity stripe (27-of-39). Individually, three Muleriders would score in double figures with two pouring in 20+ points. Davis would lead the scoring charge with 23 points, followed by Williams with 20 and Alre'k Brown with 12 points. Davis would lead the team in assists as well with seven. The leading rebounder for SAU was Jordan with nine (seven defensive).
 
The Muleriders will now prepare for their first Oklahoma swing of the season next week as they will travel to Ada, Okla. to take on East Central on Thursday night and then to Weatherford, Okla. to take on Southwestern Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off for the game at East Central is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. while the tip-off at Southwestern Oklahoma is set for  3 p.m.