MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Sophomore guard
CJ Elkins established a new career high in rebounds with 15 in Thursday's game against Central Baptist College. Elkins also recorded his first career double-double at SAU with a strong 19-point, 15-rebound performance. Southern Arkansas fell to CBC by a score of 82-68.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half of the game was closely contested as the score was tied five times and the lead changed hands four times.
- With 1:49 left in the first half, the Muleriders went on an 8-0 run to turn their largest deficit of the half, six points, into a two-point lead. That run was sparked by a pair of free throws by Senior Tony Aska. Elkins then followed him with a layup in the paint and a free throw bringing the score to 31-30, CBC.
- With just 31 seconds left in the first half, the Mustangs turned the ball over, and Junior Guard Keeton Tennison gave the Muleriders the lead with a clutch 3-pointer to bring the score to 33-31 SAU and end the half.
- Play remained close early in the second half with three lead changes and three tie scores, but an 8-0 run by the Mustangs that began at the 16:20 mark gave CBC control of the game.
- Not long after, the Mustangs took a double digit lead and remained firmly in control.
- The Muleriders, however, battled and pulled to within five points on a couple of occasions. The last of those occurrences came on a layup by Darnell Jones-Bowie with 5:34 left in the game.
- The mustangs then went on a 7-0 run to firmly pull away, eventually ending with a 14-point victory, 82-68.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Prior to Thursday's game, the Muleriders were 8-0 against CBC dating back to the 1997-98 season.
- The largest lead of the game came late in the second half as with 1:46 left CBC held a 15-point lead.
- SAU had two players score double figures with CJ Elkins leading the team with 19 total points. Helping Elkins to the 19 points was a 5-of-5 effort at the free throw line.
- Aska was second on the team in rebounds with a career-high 13 rebounds. It is his second straight game with double digit rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Muleriders will host Texas A&M-Commerce at home on December 31 with a scheduled tip-off time of 3 p.m.