Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Official Athletics Site of the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders
MBB | Oklahoma Baptist (2-25-17)
Brenna Johnson
96
Winner Southern Arkansas SAUM 11-11, 13-15
88
Oklahoma Baptist University OBU 7-19, 4-18
Winner
Southern Arkansas SAUM
11-11, 13-15
96
Final
88
Oklahoma Baptist University OBU
7-19, 4-18
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Southern Arkansas SAUM 43 53 96
Oklahoma Baptist University OBU 48 40 88

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | By: Daniel Gallegos

Elkins’ career-high 33 points propels Muleriders past Oklahoma Baptist, 96-88

Muleirders claim No. 6-seed in upcoming GAC Tournament

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Sophomore guard CJ Elkins set a new career scoring mark as he went for 33 points on 11-for-17 shooting overall. Elkins was also a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe as his banner game helped propel the Southern Arkansas men's basketball team to a 96-88 win on the road over Oklahoma Baptist to wrap up the regular season.
 
With the win, the Muleriders finished GAC play at 11-11 and earned the No. 6-seed in the upcoming Great American Conference Basketball Tournament in Bartlesville, Okla. As the No. 6-seed, the Muleriders' opening round matchup will be No. 3-seed, Arkansas Tech. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, March 3.
 
RECORDS
Southern Arkansas Muleriders (13-15, 11-11 GAC)
Oklahoma Baptist Bison (7-19, 4-18 GAC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Back-and-forth was the name of the game as there were a total of 10 lead changes throughout as well as the score being tied up on separate occasions.
  • As the first half neared its end, the game was knotted at 39-all with 2:46 left before halftime, but Oklahoma Baptist went on a 9-2 run over the next two minutes of game time to take seven-point lead, 48-41 with 47 seconds on the clock.
  • The Bison, however would only take a five-point lead in to the locker room as De'Sean Dockery knocked down a jumper on SAU's final offensive possession of the half.
  • Out of the break, SAU began to trim the deficit and with 16:46 to go, the Muleriders knotted the game at 54-all on a Denarious Lockhart ally-oop dunk which was assisted by Elkins.
  • From there, the score remained close as neither team led by more than three points until Tony Aska converted a conventional three-point play at the 6:36 mark. Keeton Tennison then followed right behind with a three-point shot from range to give SAU a seven-point advantage, 78-71.
  • The lead for SAU grew as large as 10 points at the 2:38 mark, but Oklahoma Baptist quickly made it a single-digit game the next trip down the court.
  • The Muleriders were able to stave off any serious comeback efforts by going 9-of-10 from the free throw line over the final 1:14 of the game.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • The 96 points scored in the game were a season-best for the Muleriders and were the most points they have scored since they hung 94 points against Oklahoma Baptist a year ago last February.
  • Four Muleriders scored in double figures with Elkins' career-best 33 points leading the way for SAU. The new mark bested his previous high which was set in SAU's first game against Oklahoma Baptist this season as Elkins scored 29 points. In two games this year against Oklahoma Baptist, Elkins is averaging 31.0 points per game on 68% shooting overall and 100% success from the free throw line.
  • Denarious Lockhart was the next leading scorer with 14 points and KJ Collins was behind Lockhart with a season-high 12-point performance. De'Sean Dockery rounded out double-figure scoring with 10 points.Dockery has now scored in double figures in each of his last eight games and 14 of his last 16 games dating back to mid-January
 
UP NEXT
The Muleriders will now prepare for the 2017 Great American Conference Basketball Tournament in Bartlesville, Okla. SAU is the No. 6-seed and their opening round opponent will be No. 3-seed, Arkansas Tech. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, March 3.
 
Print Friendly Version