ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (10-17, 7-14 GAC) fell tonight in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (21-6, 17-4 GAC) by a final score of 67-75.
 
Both teams came out firing to begin the game as Ouachita won the tip and converted an early layup to get the scoring going which was then immediately answered by a JaKourion Key three-pointer to take the lead, 3-2. The SAU offense got hot as Junior Williams converted a layup of his own followed by a Greg Moore Jr. three to put SAU up 8-4 just under two minutes into the game. The Tigers then tied the game at 8-8 with 17:12 to go before the half and the battle was on. With nine minutes to go before the intermission, SAU trailed by five points, 18-13. The Muleriders offense then got hot again shrinking the lead to just one point, 22-23 with 4:23 to go before the half as JaKourion Key converted a layup. The Muleriders then took the lead as Junior Williams collected a steal and Greg Moore Jr. converted a layup, 24-23 SAU. The Tigers offense found their groove retaking the lead. Ouachita tried to pull away before the half, but SAU hung around as Greg Moore Jr. sunk another three to pull within four, 29-33 as the teams entered intermission.
 
Both teams came out of the break swinging as SAU retook the lead with 17:57 to go 39-37 as Troy'reon Ramos sunk a three pointer. SAU held their lead until Ouachita retook it with 10:38 to go as the Muleriders looked to upset the Tigers. Ouachita tried to pull away in the last two minutes, but the Muleriders still hung around as the teams continued to battle for every point. Jair Horton pulled the Blue and Gold within two points as he converted a layup with 1:25 to go but SAU trailed 67-69. The Tigers pulled away in the last minute of the game shooting from the free throw line as the Muleriders fell in Arkadelphia.
 
Despite the loss, four Muleriders finished the game in double digits. Greg Moore Jr. led the way with 16 followed by Junior Williams, JaKourion Key, and Jair Horton all with 12 points. Greg Moore Jr. also recorded a double-double in the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"Our guys played extremely hard," said Head Coach Mark Rutledge. "Can't complain about their effort at all. We could have shot the ball better and we need to do a better job of getting fouled. We only shot four free throws total. I'm pretty sure that's a season low for us. One more game Saturday. If we bring that type of effort we'll give ourselves a great chance to win it."
 
Top Performers
Greg Moore Jr.: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Junior Williams: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
JaKourion Key: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Jair Horton: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Troy'reon Ramos: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will return home to Magnolia, Arkansas as they close out their regular season play against the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys inside the W.T. Watson Center on Saturday, February 28th for senior day. Tipoff of the men's game is set for 3:00 p.m.