Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tigers grabbed a 77-70 win over the first-place University of Southern Arkansas Muleriders on Saturday, behind
Carven Holcolmbe's first career double-double. The Tigers and Muleriders are now tied with East Central for the number-one spot in the Great American Conference.
SAU (12-5, 8-3 GAC) claimed an early lead in the first half until a 7-0 run by the Tigers put Ouachita ahead 21-17 with 8:26 to play in the half. Holcolmbe sparked the run with five straight points for the Tigers. Ouachita built on its lead and eventually led by double-digits before a 10-1 run to end the half by the Muleriders cut Ouachita's lead to only one at the break.
Both teams were 13-30 from the field and netted six free-throws each in the first half. The Tigers, however, knocked down one more three-pointer, giving them the 35-34 lead.
Micah Delph finished the first half with a game-high 12 points.
Colt Fason added 10 points on 5-7 shooting from the floor.
Ouachita never surrendered its lead in the second half, and an 11-2 run for the Tigers gave them their largest lead of 12 with just under nine minutes remaining. The Muleriders did pull within four points with 2:16 to go, but a three-pointer from Delph, five free-throws from
David Berete and a fast-break slam from
Tirrell Brown prevented any comeback.
Delph once again led all scorers in the second half with 10 points, giving him a game-high of 22 for the game. Holcolmbe provided size down low, as he posted eight points and nine rebounds in 13 minutes of the period.
The Tigers finished with a field-goal percentage 45.8 percent, while holding Southern Arkansas to only 39.1 percent. Ouachita was out-rebounded 45-34 but recorded 10 more assists and two less turnovers.
Holcolmbe finished with career-highs in both points and rebounds, totaling 13 points and 13 boards in 23 minutes. Fason followed with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Tigers are the only team in the GAC with an undefeated home record (9-0), and Ouachita is currently first in the conference in average scoring margin (+9.7), average rebound margin (+4.6) and average turnover margin (+4.2).
The Tigers (12-4, 8-3 GAC) will travel Monticello, Ark. on Thursday, Jan. 29, to take on the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
