MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Any fireworks left in the county following the recent celebration of the new year were figuratively detonated inside a raucous W.T. Watson Center on Thursday night as the Great American Conference affair between Southern Arkansas (5-6, 2-3 GAC) and Northwestern Oklahoma (4-7, 1-4 GAC) featured 11 lead changes and eight tied scores. In the end, it was the Muleriders that forced overtime with two clutch free throws from sophomore combo Jalen Brooks with under two seconds to play in regulation, but it was the Rangers that snuck by the host 88-84 after building a quick seven-point lead early in the bonus period.
 
With 1:04 to play in the first half, SAU trialed Northwestern Oklahoma by eight points at 34-26, but the Muleriders rallied behind a pair of free throws and a jumper from junior Charlie Thomas and a fast break jumper by redshirt freshman Trent Ivy. With the lead cut to two points with under 10 seconds to play, junior guard Aaron Lucas buried a trifecta to put SAU on top 35-34 at the intermission.
 
In overtime, Southern Arkansas trailed by seven points with 59 seconds remaining. Two free throws from Charlie Thomas brought SAU to within two possessions, but a quick steal by Lucas and a subsequent three-pointer in the far corner from junior Trey Davis cut the Ranger lead to two points with 48 seconds to play. Thomas would connect on one of two free throws to bring the deficit to a single point. However, the Rangers used three free throws from Parrish Hewitt to close out the contest down the stretch.
 
Brooks notched a heavy double-double with a team-high 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Lucas and Thomas each chipped in with 17 points with Lucas adding eight assists.
 
The Muleriders return to action on Saturday, January 4 for a Great American Conference game with Southwestern Oklahoma State. Tipoff from inside the W.T. Watson Center is slated for 3 p.m.