ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Three Lady Muleriders scored 15-plus points led by Tierra Tucker's season-high 18 points and Southern Arkansas shot 17-22 (77.3%) from the free throw line in the second half as they grinded out a tough road victory by defeating Ouachita Baptist 70-64 on Saturday afternoon inside Bill Vining Arena.
 
The Great American Conference affair saw nine lead changes, including six in the third quarter, and Ouachita (5-11, 2-8 GAC) out-assist (16-10) and out-rebound (40-39) Southern Arkansas. However, SAU benefitted from the charity stripe as they manufactured season-highs in percentage (82.1%) and free throws made (23), while also tying a team season-high with 13 steals and forcing their fourth opponent this season to commit 20-plus turnovers with Ouachita's 21.
 
SAU outscored the Lady Tigers 21-11 in points off of turnovers and again outscored an opponent in the paint with a 32-26 output against Ouachita.
 
The Lady Muleriders (11-3, 7-3 GAC) benefitted from a quality first-half (12pt, 10rb) courtesy of Rosa Bryant. Bryant produced her 11^th double-double of the year and finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and four steals, while Shana Holmes added 15 points and five assists with 13 points coming in the second half.
 
The Lady Tigers controlled the pace for most of the game as they as they held a 17-12 lead after the first quarter; before SAU used a 14-9 second quarter to tie the game at 26 at the break. SAU's 26-point first-half output tied for their lowest scoring margin (26 pts @ Southeastern Oklahoma) this season. The aforementioned back-and-forth third quarter saw Ouachita take a 45-44 lead into the final ten minutes of action.
 
At the 7:40 mark of the fourth quarter, Holmes knocked down SAU's only triple of the game (1-of-3) to give the Lady Muleriders a 48-47 lead and moments later she cashed in on a fast break layup to push the lead to three, 50-47. With 4:30 minutes to play, jumpers from Shunta Nevitt and Jaida Harden would help keep SAU on top and a pair of free throws from Bryant at the 2:37 mark put SAU up 58-54.
 
SAU would come up big down the stretch as they used the free throw to pull away late.
 
Southern Arkansas will return to the hardwood on Monday, January 25, as they host the league's second-place team Harding in a Great American Conference matchup that was previously scheduled for January 21. Tip-off from inside the W.T. Watson Center is slated for 5:30 p.m. SAU begins a three-game home stretch on Monday and will welcome in East Central (Jan. 28) and Southeastern Oklahoma (Jan. 30) to close out play in January.
 
Be sure to visit muleriderathletics.com for continuing coverage of Lady Mulerider basketball including pregame and postgame updates and the coach's show with head coach Julio Pacheco.