MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Thursday inside the W.T. Watson Center with students on the campus of Southern Arkansas University against the most bitter of rivals in the Arkansas-Monticello Cotton Blossoms… a recipe for perfection is what was witnessed in Columbia County between the two Natural State adversaries.
 
The Muleriders (9-8 | 4-7) were in desperate need of a Great American Conference victory after suffering back-to-back losses in western Oklahoma last weekend, and the group pulled out that much-needed win as they claimed victory against the Cotton Blossoms (8-9 | 3-8) 68-66 in an overtime thriller.
 
This Timberland Battle displayed every bit of what the rivalry is about as there was no room to breathe in the contest. The largest lead held in the outing was by the Blue and Gold in the second period as the group withheld as much as a 7-point advantage before witnessing a brief comeback by UAM to end the half and go into the break (34-34).
 
After a quick and successful start to begin the second half, the Blossoms claimed a 4-point lead (34-38) and looked to have the Muleriders stumped in front of their home crowd, but after Tequaza Chambers and Chloe Wilbanks recorded four fruitful possessions, Southern Arkansas had reclaimed the lead at 46-42 and entered the final period with that four-point lead after a triple by Qua to end the quarter (49-45).
 
Each team held a four-point lead in the fourth as the two units never gave in to any opposing momentum thrown at them. UAM's four-point lead came with just 1:14 to go in the contest and seemed to have come with a dagger three-pointer by Alindsey Long. The Blue and Gold never crumbled as Chambers countered with a two-point jumper to cut the lead to two followed up by a steal and layup by Marlee Bright to tie the ballgame with 00:16 left in regulation. On her made layup, Bright was fouled going up to the basket earning her an and-one play, but after the missed free throw the Muleriders and the Cotton Blossoms went into extra minutes.
 
In four of the past five games, Southern Arkansas has outscored its opponents in the final period of the play but fallen… but not this time. Overtime was as tight as it could have been with each team countering shots made back and forth. After the Blue and Gold had obtained yet another 4-point advantage, the Cotton Blossoms had once again tied the ballgame. With what looked like the makings of the second overtime, the Muleriders ended the outing in the most fitting way possible… with Qua Chambers and Chloe Wilbanks both tacking on the last two made layups to defeat the Blossoms 68-66 for Southern Arkansas's fourth win the GAC.
 
Players of the Game:
Chloe Wilbanks: 24 points (led game | career-high)
Tequaza Chambers: 16 points, 8 rebounds (led game | career-high), and 4 assists
Crystal Ortiz: 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block
Elena Lijo-Rodriguez: 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks
Marlee Bright: 6 points, 5 steals (led game), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be back in action Saturday, January 25th at the W.T. Watson Center in Magnolia, Arkansas as they look to continue their momentum against the Henderson State University Reddies. Tip-off is set for 1:00 P.M.