DURANT, Okla. – Four Lady Muleriders scored in double figures led by a hefty double-double from senior forward Rosa Bryant (21 points, 19 rebounds) and Southern Arkansas used a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter to close out their first Great American Conference road-swing with a 67-64 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma St. on Saturday afternoon inside Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
 
SAU (4-0, 2-0 GAC) is off to their best start since the 2004-05 season and has started 2-0 in GAC play for the first time in their five-year membership with the conference. The last time the Lady Muleriders won their first two conference games in a season was as a member of the Gulf South Conference in the 2006-07 season.
 
Starters shouldered the load for Southern Arkansas as they scored 63 of the team's 67 points in 182 combined minutes played. The Lady Muleriders shot over 48% (25-52) from the field and defensively they collected eight steals and out-rebounded Southeastern Oklahoma 42-29.
 
The Savage Storm led by a dozen at the break, 38-26, in large part to their three-point shooting as they shot 40% (6-of-15) from deep, while forcing 14 SAU turnovers. After the intermission, the Lady Muleriders fought back to cut their deficit to 53-45.
 
Despite only leading for a total of eight minutes, Southern Arkansas flourished late as they outscored Southeastern Oklahoma 22-11 in the fourth quarter and they took their last lead courtesy of a three pointer from junior guard Caroline Ficher at the 7:37 mark. Bryant scored on the ensuing possession after a block from sophomore forward Aleeya Harris led to senior guard Shana Holmes finding Bryant down low.
 
Ficher found the bottom of the basket for her second three-pointer in less than two minutes that gave Southern Arkansas a 59-53 lead with 5:43 left.
 
With 3:47 remaining, Tucker collected a steal and found Holmes on the fast break for a layup to put SAU up 62-56, but Southeastern would pull to within a possession at the 2:45 mark. Holmes' triple-try with less than 70 seconds left put Southern Arkansas up six as Holmes' would eventually put the game on ice with a free throw with less than two seconds left to give the Lady Muleriders the win.
 
Bryant's fourth game with 20+ points came on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%) as she logged all 40 minutes of action. Ficher added a career-high 14 points as she shot 60% (3-of-5) from behind the arc. Holmes finished with 12 points and sophomore forward Aleeya Harris added 10.
 
Ficher and Harris each chipped in with six rebounds, while the latter collected four blocks. Senior guard Tierra Tucker led SAU with eight assists and Holmes added four.
 
Southern Arkansas will take the court again for their home opener on December 3 against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Tip-off against the Lady Rangers is set for 5:30 p.m. That following Saturday, the Lady Muleriders welcome in Southwestern Oklahoma St with a tip-off time set for 1 p.m.
 
Be sure to check out muleriderathletics.com for daily updates on head coach Julio Pacheco and the 2015-16 Lady Mulerider Basketball team.