MAGNOLIA, Arkansas – The Ouachita men's basketball team rallied in the final five minutes to earn a come-from-behind road victory over Southern Arkansas on Thursday night by a final score of 75-69.
With the win, the Tigers (20-7, 15-6 GAC) keep their chances of earning a share of the Great American Conference regular season championship alive. Ouachita needs a win over Arkansas-Monticello and a Southern Nazarene loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday to share the GAC crown with the Crimson Storm.
Thursday's win also marks Ouachita's first 20-win season since 2014-15 and the 10th overall 20-win season in program history.
SAU controlled for all of the first half, leading by as much as nine. The Muleriders used offensive rebounds and off-balance Ouachita shots to take the early lead. Ouachita was one for its first six shots.
The nine-point lead for SAU came on a deep three-pointer at the 10:44 mark. The Tigers responded with an 8-0 run over the next five minutes to cut that deficit down to one.
The Tigers cut it to one on one more occasion in the final eight minutes, but the Muleriders responded once again to hold the advantage and eventually take a 35-33 lead into the locker room at the break.
Devyn Franklin gave Ouachita its first lead of the game with a long-distance two-point jumper at the 18:17 mark of the second half to put the Tigers up 38-37. Reggie Martin put Ouachita on top once again with a pair of free throws at the 11:08 mark to make it 46-44 in favor of the Tigers. Those foul shots capped an 8-0 run for the Tigers that lasted five minutes.
The Muleriders responded with an 8-2 run to regain the lead. Using 60 percent shooting throughout most of the second half, SAU limited Ouachita's opportunities to hold the lead until the five three minutes. The Tigers led for just one minute during the game up until the last few minutes.
The game's defining run for Ouachita started with just under three minutes remaining. The Tigers scored nine straight to take an eight-point lead, the largest for either team in the second half.
SAU trimmed the Tiger lead down to four in the final minute, but the Tigers made just enough free throws to keep the Muleriders from making a late rally. Ouachita finished 24-for-33 at the foul line for the game.
Overall, the Tigers shot 44 percent from the field (25-for-57).
Hobert Grayson tallied his 16th double-double of the season and 20th game with at least 20 points. He led all scorers and rebounders with 25 points and 10 boards.
Reggie Martin and Shaun Williams also reached double-digits in scoring with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
Saturday's regular season finale against UAM is set for approximately 3 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena following the women's game. The Tigers will honor their seniors prior to the game.
