MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Oklahoma Baptist men's basketball team felt the effects of a 38-12 free throw discrepancy and turned the ball over 18 times as they fell to Southern Arkansas on the road 77-60 on Thursday evening at the W.T. Watson Center.
OBU struggled from the field, shooting 22 of 51 (43%), and shot 7 of 19 (37%) from behind the arc. The Bison were also 9 of 12 (75%) from the free throw line. On the other side, the Muleriders were 21 of 52 (40%) from the field including 13 of 25 (52%) in the second half. SAU was 1 of 15 (7%) from deep, but made up for it from the free throw line with an incredible 34 of 38 (90%) from the line.
OBU turned it over 18 times while forcing SAU into 14 turnovers. Southern Arkansas held a 35-30 advantage in rebounds and a 40-22 advantage inside the paint.
The Bison jumped out to a 15-8 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game as it was a defensive grind early on. OBU maintained the lead throughout the first half thanks to big play from
Rashad Lewis, but SAU ended the half on a 12-2 run thanks to a big half from the free throw line and cold shooting from OBU to take a 30-24 lead at the break.
That run would race out to 19-4 early in the second half as Southern Arkansas opened up a 39-26 lead in the first four minutes of the second half. OBU fight and clawed to stay within striking distance and finally found an opening, getting the game down to six points with eight minutes to play in the game.
However, OBU went cold at the wrong time while the Muleriders caught fire to pull away in the game and take a 77-60 win on their home floor.
Lewis had a nice night, scoring 18 points including four 3-pointers as well as three steals.
Jarius Hicklen scored 15 points off the bench including three steals while
Mohammed Abubakar had eight points and six boards.
Kurt Hall had five points and two steals while
Harrison Stoddart had five points, two blocks, and two steals.
Dishon Lowery had six points.
Jalen Brooks scored 28 points on 14 of 14 from the free throw line to go with 10 rebounds while Aaron Lucas scored 27 points on 13 of 13 free throws.
OBU moves to 11-6 overall and 6-5 in the GAC. They move on to Saturday in Monticello as they take on Arkansas-Monticello at 3 p.m.
