MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas’ Channin Harden nailed a jump-shot as time expired to end the University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team’s six-game winning streak by a final score of 48-46 in Gulf South Conference action.

 

The Weevils (16-4, 5-2 GSC) jumped out early, even leading by as much as nine points with 13:48 left in the first half thanks to a pair of free throws from senior forward Raymond Wright (New York, N.Y.). The Muleriders (8-11, 2-5 GSC) responded with a 9-2 scoring run to tie the game at 14-all with 10:13 remaining in the first half with a lay up from Rico Lambert.

 

Harden scored four points in a 6-0 run over the next four minutes to grow the Mulerider lead to seven points with just under five minutes remaining.

 

In the second half, neither team found itself up by more than four points, resulting in the close finish.

 

With 48 seconds remaining in regulation, Wright sunk a lay-up to trim the SAU lead to two points at 46-44. Harden missed a foul shot on the other end, rebounded by the Weevils. After three timeouts, senior guard Duke Sturdivant (York, Ala.) dropped a lay-up through the basket with four seconds on the clock. Harden followed with his game-winning field goal.

 

Wright led all scores with 16 points after shooting 6-of-9 from the field. Wright scored 11 of his points in the second half. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, giving him his seventh double-double of the season.

 

Junior Derek Easter (El Dorado, Ark.) was the team’s next highest scorer with seven points.

 

SAU was led by Harden’s 14 points. Rico Lambert also reached double-digits with 10 points.

 

The Weevils continue GSC play with a road-trip to Memphis, Tenn. on Thursday, February 5 for a 7 p.m. contest against Christian Brothers.