RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Senior Gregory Hammond Jr., in his first action in a month, knocked down a triple try to put Southern Arkansas up nine points with just under eight minutes remaining in Sunday afternoon's Great American Conference matchup against league-leading Arkansas Tech from inside Tucker Coliseum. However, it was all Wonder Boys down the stretch as Tech closed the contest on a 26-5 run to win 69-57 and remain the lone unbeaten in conference action. The loss drops the Muleriders to 4-5 overall with an even 2-2 mark in GAC play.
 
SAU carried a 31-23 lead into the break and never led by fewer than three points over the first dozen minutes of the second half, building its advantage to 52-43 at the 7:47 mark. SAU would go cold from the field for the next 7:05 of play before true freshman Nevi Tell made the first of two free throw attempts with 42 seconds remaining and Tech leading by ten, 63-53.
 
The Muleriders' halftime advantage, an opening twenty minutes highlighted by nine lead changes and three tied scores, was built behind a second chance points effort of +15 and inside paint production of +16. In the final twenty minutes, SAU was -11 in points off of turnovers, -6 in paint points and for the game attempted just seven free throws to Tech's 26-of-38 production from the stripe.
 
Southern Arkansas defended the three well allowing just five Tech makes in 17 attempts. The Wonder Boys improved on a 22% shooting clip from the floor in the first half to shoot Tucker Coliseum dark in the final twenty with a 53.8% success rate with 14 makes in 26 attempts.
 
Senior Carel Ray Jr. went for 17 points and eight rebounds. Senior Jessie Davis Jr. added a dozen points and finished a rebound shy of a double double. Tell produced career-highs in points (13) and assists (5).
 
The Muleriders close out action in 2023 with a Tuesday afternoon tip-off at Drury. Start time is set for 4 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.