Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (10-13, 7-10) defeated the University of Arkansas Monticello Boll Weevils (4-19, 1-16) tonight in Monticello by a final score of 77-74.
 
The Muleriders got the scoring started early in this one with a three from Carel Ray Jr. to take a 3-0 lead just 29 seconds into the first half. The Boll Weevils would respond quickly with a two of their own to make it a 3-2 game. The teams would continue to battle through most of the first seven minutes of the first half, but the Muleriders would take a 15-10 lead at the 13:28 mark in the first half.
 
The Boll Weevils would not stay down for long storming back to pull the SAU lead within two points as the Muleriders led 20-18 at the midway point in the first half. The Muleriders offense would then catch fire to go on a 13-6 run over the next five minutes to take a 33-24 lead with 5:18 to go in the first half. Both teams would continue to battle throughout the remainder of the first half and the Blue and Gold would take a 44-37 lead into the half.
 
SAU's shooting from beyond the arc was lights out in the first half making eight three pointers shooting 8-for-15 (53.3%) from beyond the arc. BJ Davis and Anthony igiede would both finish he first half scoring 10 points.
 
The Muleriders would start the second half off the same way as the first with a Carel Ray Jr. three pointer for his third of the game. After a defensive stop Christian Caldwell would convert the layup and the Muleriders would extend their lead to 12, 49-37.
 
SAU would continue their momentum through the first five minutes of the first half and with 14:38 to go in the second half the Muleriders led 55-42. The Muleriders would take 61-49 lead with 10:56 to go as Carel Ray Jr. would make his fifth three pointer of the contest. The Boll Weevils would try to climb back into the game cutting the deficit to nine points, but Rashad Bishop would not let it last long with a dunk to put SAU up by 11, 71-60 with 5:31 to play in the second half.
 
UAM would then battle back to make it a seven-point game with 1:45 to go in the second half but SAU would still lead, 77-70. The Boll Weevils would then score four more points to make it a four-point game. The Muleriders defense would prove to be too much for UAM and SAU would win and sweep the series.
 
SAU finished the game shooting 11-for-24 (45.8%) from beyond the arc. Carel Ray Jr. would also finish with five made three pointers, which was a career high.
 
Players of the Game:
Carel Ray Jr.: 17 points, five made three pointers (career high), three rebounds
Anthony Igiede: 14 points and seven rebounds
BJ Davis: 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists
Christian Caldwell: 12 points and six rebounds
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will remain on the road as they travel to Searcy, Arkansas to play the Harding University Bisons on Saturday, February 15th at 3:00 PM.