MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Two days after beginning their postseason run with a strong second half effort in an 82-74 win over (W3) East Central in the Great American Conference Tournament Quarterfinals, (E2) Southern Arkansas crosses state lines into Oklahoma for a Friday night clash with (W1) No. 24 Oklahoma Baptist from inside the Noble Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Tip-off for GAC Semifinal No. 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and live coverage links are available at
www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
The Muleriders (14-4), GAC Eastern Division Co-Champions, have won four-consecutive games and will face a Bison squad that is 15-4 overall, outright GAC Western Division Champions and riding a six-game win streak (wins in 14 of their past 15 games) which includes a 97-78 thumping of Ouachita in Wednesday night's quarterfinal round. In that victory, the Bison broke five GAC Tournament records including field goals made (39), field goal percentage (63%), assists (27) and points scored (97).
Friday's matchup will be the 11
th all-time between the programs, the sixth in Shawnee and the first meeting in the GAC Tournament. SAU holds a 7-3 lead in the series, but has not won against the Bison in the Sooner State since a 96-88 decision on February 25, 2017; a span of four road games.
A lot is riding on Friday's game as the Muleriders are currently No. 5 in the South Central Region rankings, while the Bison hold the No. 4 ranking. The top six teams advance and will be announced on Sunday during the NCAA's Division II Selection Show.
Wednesday night's win inside the W.T. Watson Center was the third for the Muleriders in the GAC Tournament. Southern Arkansas owns tournament wins over Southwestern Oklahoma State in 2014 (63-59) and in 2016 (83-82). A win on Friday night would send the Muleriders to the tournament title game for the first time in program history.
Southern Arkansas is led by a trio of top performers in GAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year
Aaron Lucas (16.7 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.4 spg), unanimous All-GAC First Team performer
Devante Brooks (13.9 ppg, 52.2 FG%, 8.4 rpg) and All-GAC Honorable Mention selection
Jalen Brooks (12.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.6 spg) in addition to key offseason signees
Blake Rogers,
Victor Irhirhi,
Kris Wyche and
Tyler Garrett.
In his nine years at the helm of the SAU Men's Basketball, head coach
Andy Sharpe has built the program on the premise of a tough, relentless defense and an unmatched effort on the glass. That foundation is as evident this season as it has ever been.
The Muleriders rank 19
th in Division II in scoring defense (66.3 ppg), 21
st in total steals (142), 22
nd nationally in field goal percentage defense (41.2%). Additionally, SAU ranks in the top 35 of the country in offensive rebounds per game (12.83; 23
rd), rebound margin (5.8; 26
th), steals per game (7.9; 33
rd) and turnovers forced per game (15.33; 34
th).
SAU has not allowed an opponent to reach the 70-point mark in twelve games this season and in four games the Muleriders held their opponent under 60 points. Defensively, Southern Arkansas employs a perimeter defense that has forced opponents to shoot less than 30% from beyond-the-arc on seven different occasions.
Oklahoma Baptist, led by GAC Coach of the Year Jason Eaker, enters the semifinal round averaging 76.2 ppg and has eclipsed the 75-point mark 11 times this season, while connecting on 38.2% of their attempts from three-point range. The team's 187 made three-pointers this season ranks 17
th nationally and the Bison's near ten makes from range per game is a top 30 mark in Division II.
The Bison are also tough inside as they have recorded 709 rebounds this season to go along with the 14
th most blocks in Division II at 70.
Oklahoma Baptist is led by unanimous All-GAC First Team performer Brantly Thompson (14.2 ppg, 4.1 apg, 0.9 spg), fellow first team selection Jarius Hicklen (16.8 ppg, 43.4% 3PT, 4.2 rpg) and All-GAC Second Teamer Harrison Stoddart (14.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg).
