MAGNOLIA, Ark. - A career-high 24 points from redshirt freshman Anthony Igiede and six second-half three pointers were enough for Southern Arkansas to pick up a third-straight win in Great American Conference action on Saturday afternoon from inside the W.T. Watson Center. The Muleriders outlasted Oklahoma Baptist, which took a 63-62 lead with 1:19 to play, courtesy of a final 90 seconds of action that was highlighted by a go-ahead slam from senior Carel Ray Jr and four free throws by Igiede in the final half minute to put the game away.
Both teams were hindered by cold shooting beyond-the-arc in the first half, combining to sink just four of a collective 27 attempts with each squad making just two. SAU's second trifecta came from the stroke of Anthony Igiede as the first half clock was in its final seconds to give SAU a 26-21 lead at the intermission.
Additionally, each side attempted just a single free throw as the initial twenty minutes was dictated by a physical and fast paced style of play. SAU turned eight OBU turnovers into ten first-half points, while limiting the guests to just a bucket on five giveaways from the host.
The second half was a different story for Southern Arkansas. SAU hoisted three less attempts from deep, but sank four more than in the first half as its 6-of-11 effort helped serve as the difference in the game as the Muleriders
clamped down defensively holding OBU to just three makes in a dozen second-half shot attempts from range.
Oklahoma Baptist utilized a 9-1 run to open the second half and grab a 30-27 lead. Consecutive three-point buckets from Igeide and Gregory Hammond Jr pushed SAU out front 33-32 and following back-to-back buckets by Ray, Igiede hit a trifecta as SAU built its lead to 40-32 with 15:42 remaining.
The Bison responded with an 8-0 run to lead 43-42, before Igeide drove inside, drew contact and got a tough look to fall with a whistle as his and-one freebie made it 45-42 at the 9:22 mark of the second half.
Following the under-8 media timeout, a three point make by Hammond and a smooth jumper from Cedric Garrett coupled with a pair of free throws by Igiede, who went 7-for-7 from the line in the win, as SAU led 52-49.
Both Garrett and Hammond hit big threes over the next two minutes to push SAU up 60-54 and after the lead was cut to one, Ray scored inside as the Muleriders led 62-59 at the 2:37 mark. That was the first of two big buckets by Ray in the final three minutes as SAU grinded through a stretch run with Igiede putting the game on ice at the stripe.
Igiede added four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Hammond scored 13 points with six rebounds, six assists and a steal. Ray followed with a dozen points, eight rebounds and a steal. A game after matching the season-high for blocks with five, the Muleriders swatted six Bison shots. Igiede delivered two as did Jessie Davis Jr with Hammond and Garrett each delivering one.
Southern Arkansas hits the road for Monticello as bitter league rival UAM awaits on Thursday, January 25. Tip-off from inside Steelman Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
