Searcy, Ark. – The SAU Men's Basketball team had their six-game win streak snapped at the hands of Harding in a 75-74 thriller which saw a slow first half and a less-than-stellar performance from the free throw line make the difference in this contest.
The Muleriders fell behind 40-30 at the half, and were propelled back into the game by an early second half 11-0 scoring run that saw the Muleriders come back within a single point. A subsequent 9-0 run midway through the second quarter had the Muleriders back in the lead 54-53. An 8-0 run to end the game was not enough to overcome a 14-0 Harding run despite the Bisons not scoring a point in the last 2:31 of the second half.
The Muleriders only shot 6-16 from the free throw (38 percent), and actually shot better from the field and behind the three-point line (44 percent for both).
Freshman
Jalen Brooks scored 18 points on 7-13 shooting, including 2-5 from behind the arc and from the charity stripe in 26 minutes of game time. Sophomore
DeVante Brooks came within a point of a double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing 13 rebounds in 36 minutes on the court.
Guard
Aaron Lucas scored 12 points in 18 minutes, as well as getting four rebounds and an assist. Guard
Frank Royles led the team with four assists as well as grabbing six rebounds and scoring seven points in 22 minutes of action.
The starting backcourt pair of
Draylan Perkins and
CJ Elkins both shot 4-9 from the field, with Perkins scoring 11 points and Elkins, 10.
The Muleriders return to action next Saturday, December 8
th at the W. T. Watson Center when they host Ouachita.
