SHAWNEE - An 8-2 run in the final 1:38 capped a 14-6 run by No. 2 seeded Southern Arkansas as they came from behind to knock off top-seeded Oklahoma Baptist inside the Noble Complex, 74-71, on Friday evening.
For the Bison, they controlled 38 minutes of the game and led for most of the contest, but the Muleriders used tough defense and clutch shots both from the field and at the line to clinch the win and head to the GAC Championship Game.
OBU shot 23 of 50 (46%) from the field and especially struggled in the second half, going 10 of 27 (37%). The Bison shot a season-low 3 of 18 (17%) from deep including 0 of 10 in the second half and went 14 of 17 (76%) at the line.
On the other end, SAU shot 25 of 59 (42%) from the field and 7 of 22 (32%) from deep. The Muleriders were well above their average at the free throw line, going 17 of 21 (81%).
The Bison held a 36-32 advantage over the tough rebounding Muleriders, but tied a season-high in turnovers with 18 to SAU's 14. The Bison held a 21-6 advantage in bench points.
It was a fast start for both sides, but five straight points from OBU behind three from
Nigel Wilcox and a lay in by
Jarius Hicklen opened up a 10-5 lead. From the tip, the physicality was on display as both sides were intense and into each other throughout the contest.
OBU pushed that lead to 16-7 behind great interior play from Wilcox and a 3-pointer from Hicklen. The Bison kept the lead at seven at 21-14 as
Harrison Stoddart added a lay in and
Jaquan Simms added a three.
The Bison were rolling offensive as lay ins from
Justin Tene and
Brantly Thompson got the lead to 10, but a 10-2 run by SAU turned the tide and got the game down to two with under four to play in the half.
OBU pushed it back to eight on four points from Tene and despite SAU scoring the next four points, took a 37-31 lead into the break behind a buzzer beating midrange jumper from Thompson.
The Bison immediately got their lead to 10 on jumpers from Simms and Thompson, but the Muleriders would simply not go away. SAU consistently pushed it down to one possession, but OBU would respond with a mini-run and push the lead back up to eight.
Southern Ark kept grinding at the Bison, getting it all the way down to one point with under seven to play, but buckets by Simms and Stoddart go the lead back out to six. SAU again got it down to three before OBU before a Hicklen steal and free throws got the lead to 65-60 with four minutes to play.
From there, SAU went on a 14-6 run to take the game over. OBU would lead 69-66 with under two to play, but SAU got a bucket plus a turnover and jumper to lead 70-69. OBU went back ahead by one on Hicklen free throws before four straight makes at the line gave OBU a 74-71 lead. The Bison had one final look at the end, but both Simms and Stoddart's threes fell short to give SAU the win.
Thompson led the way with 15 points and three assists while Simms added 13 points and 11 boards. Wilcox added a double-double at 12 points and 12 rebounds while Hicklen scored 11 off the bench. Tene picked up eight points while Stoddart had seven.
Jalen Brooks had 18 points to lead SAU while Devante Brooks had 17 points and 15 rebounds. Blake Rogers picked up 15 while Aaron Lucas had 13 points and six steals.
OBU sits at 15-5 overall and will await on Selection Sunday to see if they will participate in the NCAA Tournament. The selection of the field is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
