ALVA, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team led for the entirety of the first half, but a relentless second-half rally from Northwestern Oklahoma ultimately led the Rangers to a 76-69 come-from-behind win over SAU on Thursday night at the Perceful Fieldhouse in Alva.
 
The Muleriders (14-10, 10-8 GAC), who scored the game's first basket on a jumper in the paint by Kevin Jordan, would build a lead as large as 13 points over the opening 20 minutes of the game before heading into the break with an 11-point lead into the break, 39-28.
 
Over the first four and a half minutes of the second half, NWOSU would go on a 15-5 run to bring the Rangers (8-17, 7-11 GAC) to within a point, 44-43, with 15:33 remaining. At the 13:16 mark, NWOSU knotted the game for the first time at 46-all.
 
The Muleriders would not relinquish the lead at that point, but two and a half minutes off the game clock later, NWOSU captured their first lead on a jumper by Adrian Motley.
 
Over the next three and a half minutes, the score would be knotted up by the Muleriders three times, but each time SAU was unable to regain the lead. With 1:40 left and the game still within reach, SAU would tie the score once more, but a three-pointer by the Rangers on their ensuing possession kept NWOSU on top and a gave the home team a surge of momentum.
 
From there, the Rangers would go to the free throw line and make 6-of-8 over the final minute of play to help give them the seven-point win.
 
Statistically, the Muleriders would have four players score in double figures with Deon Andrews leading the way with 19 points. Next in scoring was Alvin Braddock with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Kevin Jordan and Tyrell Taylor were next in scoring with 10 points each. Jordan would also pull down 11 rebounds to record his third double-double of the season.
 
The Muleriders will not have a game on Saturday and will return home to get ready for their final game of the season at the W.T. Watson Center as they are set to play host to rival Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday, February 26. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., but prior to tip-off, the SAU men's basketball team will hold their annual Senior Night ceremony for the four seniors on this year's team: Alre'k Brown, Aaron Francis, Tyrell Taylor, and Chauncy Williams.