MAGNOLIA, Ark. - It was a 37-point third quarter by Southeastern Oklahoma State that proved to be the difference on Saturday afternoon as the Savage Storm broke a 22-22 halftime tie in-route to a 72-54 victory over Southern Arkansas inside the W.T. Watson Center.

The Lady Muleriders (12-5, 8-5 GAC) struggled from the floor in the first half as they shot a collective 23.7% (9-38), but defensively forced eight turnovers, while holding the Savage Storm to only a pair of three-pointers on nine attempts as the teams played to a tied intermission.

Tierra Tucker successfully converted a pair of free throw attempts and Rosa Bryant added a fast break bucket after she picked up a steal to give SAU a 26-22 lead in the opening two minutes out of the halftime break. Southeastern Oklahoma would use the next three-plus minutes to take back a lead that they would keep throughout the second half as a pair of free throws and an inside basket tied it at 26.

After a three-pointer from Southeastern's Kaylie Baxter, Shana Holmes answered on the ensuing trip down the court with an old-fashion three-point play to tie the game at 31 with 6:03 left in the third quarter.

An 18-3 Savage Storm run over the next four minutes of action pushed Southeastern out front and after a Caroline Ficher three-pointer cut the SAU deficit to a dozen, Southeastern's Taylor Richards converted 8-of-8 free throw attempts in the third quarter's final minute and a half to help give the Savage Storm a 19-point advantage heading into the final quarter.

Bryant finished with a game-high 17 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals. Tucker added 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.

SAU will hit the road for their final regular-season trek into Oklahoma as they travel to Alva, for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off with Northwestern Oklahoma State on February, 4, before closing out the weekend in Weatherford for a noon start against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday, February 6.

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 coachJulio Pacheco.