ALVA, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (10-15, 7-12 GAC) fell tonight in Alva, Oklahoma to the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (10-15, 7-12 GAC) in overtime by a final score of 73-75.
 
The Muleriders broke the ice with 18:52 to go in the first half as Junior Williams scored an early layup to take a 2-0 lead. NWOSU then took the lead with a three and extended with a layup to take a 5-2 lead. The Muleriders then responded taking a 7-6 lead with 16:52 remaining in the first half as Junior Williams slammed home a dunk. The Muleriders offense then got hot opening up a nine-point lead with 11:35 to go before the half, 19-10. The SAU offense stayed hot throughout the remainder of the first half not letting their lead fall below six-points eventually stretching the lead back out to 10-points, 40-30 as the teams headed into the intermission.
 
The Muleriders came out of the break hot still as the Rangers tried to chip away at the lead but SAU opened up a 13-point 44-31 lead with 17:37 to go. NWOSU began to chip away closing the gap to just seven points with 12:22 remaining but SAU got hot again ballooning the lead out to 12, 54-42 with 10:04 to go. From there, the Rangers began to chip away shrinking the SAU lead to just one point 62-61 with 2:03 remaining. NWOSU then took their first lead since the 17:05 mark in the first half with 1:29 remaining, 62-63. The Rangers tried to extend and close the game out in regulation but a three pointer from Jair Horton with five seconds left tied the game at 65-65 as the game headed into overtime.
 
The Rangers began overtime scoring the first points, but the Muleriders continued to respond despite NWOSU making key shots eventually opening a five-point lead, 73-68 with 1:26 remaining. Another three pointer by Jair Horton to pull within two followed by two made free throws by Junior Williams tied the game at 73-73 with 31 seconds remaining. NWOSU held the ball eventually converting a layup to take the lead 75-73 with six seconds remaining. The Muleriders were able to fire off a three pointer to win but it bounced off the rim and NWOSU won the game.
 
"We beat ourselves tonight," said Head Coach Mark Rutledge. "Too many self-inflicted wounds. We lost the rebounding battle. We went away from what was working in the first half. Playing together. Being tough defensively and rebounding."
 
Top Performers
JaKourion Key: 21 points (career high), 8 rebounds 1 steal
Troy'reon Ramos: 9 points, 6 rebounds
 
Up next
The Muleriders will finish off their road trip in Oklahoma on Saturday, February 21st against the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.