ALVA, Okla. – A huge second half surge allowed the Lady Muleriders to rally back from an 18-point disadvantage that eventually led to a 63-59 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma in the season's GAC conference opener on Thursday night in Alva, Oklahoma.
The Lady Muleriders got off to a slow start in the game trailing 15-33 at the intermission, but later found momentum in the third quarter after turning an 18-point scoring disadvantage into a five-point deficit on a 15-2 run within the first five minutes of the second half.
SAU scored the first pair of buckets in that sequence with a layup from
Brette Wacha followed by a jumper from
Olivia McWilliams to make it 19-33, NWOSU. Later in the quarter, a good 3-pointer from
Angela Villarreal brought the Lady Muleriders within single digits of the Lady Rangers, 26-35, at 5:58, eventually coming as close as just three points shy of Northwestern, 36-39, with 2:20 left to play. NWOSU later scored the final pair of buckets in the third to hold a seven-point lead over SAU, 45-38, going into the final quarter.
In the game's final 10 minutes of action, the Lady Muleriders made an exciting comeback on a 13-0 run that saw them take the lead over the Lady Rangers, 58-56, with 2:16 left to play.
Anna Djedjemel banked a trio of 3-point shots in that sequence, including the bucket that put SAU ahead, to serve as the offensive catalyst in the Lady Mulerider's late rally.
The Lady Rangers proceeded to tie the score at 58-all with a pair of free throws, but Southern Arkansas regained the lead with a layup made by
Sue Key at 0:54 and eventually clinched the victory, 63-59.
OF NOTE
- SAU totaled 48 points in the second half holding NWOSU to a combined 26 points
- SAU shot 80.0% from the charity stripe (12-of-15)
- Key led the scoring for SAU with 15 total points and three blocks
- Djedjemel followed with 14 total points including three 3-point shots and four steals
- Crown had a double-double with 10 total points and 12 rebounds
- Olivia McWilliams tallied nine points and a team-high 8 assists, 4 blocks, and 6 steals
UP NEXT
- The Lady Muleriders return on the road on Saturday, January 6, for a GAC matchup with Southwestern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m.