MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Southern Arkansas placed three players in double figure scoring led by senior Carel Ray Jr.'s 20 points, but a hot shooting night by visiting Southwestern Oklahoma downed the Muleriders 84-72. The loss drops SAU to 4-7 overall and 2-3 in league play and snaps the Muleriders' three-game win streak against the Bulldogs. SWOSU picked up its third win of the season, all of which have come in Great American Conference action.

SAU trailed 45-36 at the half, but was outscored by just a possession over the final twenty minutes of play. The Bulldogs finished +5 in points off turnovers, but were boosted by its prowess from beyond-the-arc. Southwestern Oklahoma shot 52.6% from deep on ten makes in 19 attempts, an effort that was a part of a 52.7% clip from the floor. SWOSU made 16-of-19 from the stripe. SAU struggled from three-point range making just six of its 24 attempts in addition to a 64.3% clip from the line. 

Southern Arkansas grabbed its only lead with a free throw attempt to open scoring, but fell behind 12-8 at the under-16 media. On three occasions under the final five minutes of the opening half, the Muleriders managed to pull to within a possession before trailing by nine at the half. In the second half, a pair of layups from Cedric Garrett, who made his Mulerider debut, cut SWOSU's lead to five points with 14:43 to play. That is as close as the Muleriders would get as the Bulldogs built and maintained a double-figure advantage. 

Ray added six rebounds and three steals to his ledger. Garrett scored 16 points and finished with seven rebounds and an assist. Gregory Hammond Jr. followed with 14 points and team-highs in rebounds with nine and assists with four. He also recorded SAU's only two blocks. 

SAU plays host to Northwestern Oklahoma on Saturday in a 3 p.m. tip-off from inside the W.T. Watson Center. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.