Box Score (HTML)

MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team made a season-high 11 three-pointers, including four in the final minute, but an early 18-point deficit allowed Southern Arkansas to hold on for a 92-89 win over the Weevils on Thursday at Steelman Field House.

Down by 14 points with 2:55 remaining in regulation, the Weevils (5-9, 2-8 Great American Conference) ended the game on a 15-4 scoring run capped by a three-pointer from senior Sharif Hudson with one second remaining in regulation. That's where UAM's rally ended as there was not enough time remaining to continue the comeback attempt.

During that run, the Weevils had made two three-pointers from junior Jamal Peterson and another two from Hudson. After trailing by 13 at halftime, UAM outscored SAU 51-41 in the final 20 minutes and just over 65 percent from the field in the process.

The Muleriders (12-4, 8-2 GAC) started the game making nearly 75 percent of its shots through the first eight minutes to build an 18-point lead over UAM at the 12:19 mark. That's when SAU's Deon Andrews nailed a three-pointer from Deon Andrews to cap a 20-5 run over the previous three and a half minutes.

SAU matched that 18-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the second half. The Muleriders maintained at least an eight-point lead for the first 17 minutes of the second half before UAM made its final surge.

UAM finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field (29-for-56), 48 percent on three-pointers (11-for-23) and 75 percent on foul shots (20-for-27). Four of UAM's starting five ended the night in double-figures. Hudson led all scorers with 16 points. Junior Richard Benedyth turned in his first 20-point effort of the season with 22, Peterson added 17, and senior Cameron Blue chipped in with 14 points. Blue tied for the game-high with eight rebounds.

The Muleriders finished the game at 57 percent overall (37-for-65), 43 percent on three-pointers (9-for-21) and 56 percent on foul shots (9-for-16). Alre'k Brown led SAU's four double-figure scorers with 20 points.

The Weevils open the second round of GAC games this Saturday at Harding. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.