MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team erased a nine-point deficit with eight minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime, but Southern Arkansas came out on top in the extra period to beat the Weevils 87-82 on Great American Conference Rivalry Monday.
The Weevils (5-10, 3-6 GAC) traded early baskets with SAU to begin the game, and UAM held a slim 7-6 lead four minutes into the contest. The Weevils went the next 4:30 without a point, but cool shooting by both teams prevented SAU from taking advantage.
Each team went on separate 6-0 runs to bring the score to 22-15 in favor of the Muleriders with seven minutes left in the first half. A 12-1 run for SAU extended the UAM deficit to 11 at 27-16 before Andre Brown hit a deep three to end the run. The Weevils later closed the gap to seven at 31-24 with two minutes remaining in the half.
UAM continued chipping away in the final two minutes of the opening half, and trimmed the deficit down to four points at the break with SAU up 35-31.
In the second half, the teams traded scoring as the Muleriders extended their lead to five points at 42-37 with 16 minutes left in the contest. A Jamal Peterson three-pointer with 13 minutes remaining gave UAM their first lead since the first minute of the game at 51-50, but the lead was short-lived as SAU regained the lead on its next possession.
The Mulerider lead ballooned to nine as part of a 14-4 extended SAU run with eight minutes to go in the game. UAM was able to chip away and tied the game with 30 seconds remaining at 74-all. A missed layup by Richard Benedyth followed by a missed desperation three from SAU at the buzzer sent the game to overtime. It was UAM's first overtime game of the season.
In overtime, UAM opened the scoring with a pair of Richard Benedyth free throws to put the Weevils up 76-74. SAU took their first lead of overtime at 84-82 with 1:15 remaining. SAU closed the overtime period 7-0 run to seal the victory.
The Weevils finished the night shooting 40 percent from the field (23-for-57), 45 percent on three-pointers (9-for-20) and 84 percent on foul shots (27-for-32). Jamal Peterson led all scorers with 24 on the night, and was one of three Weevils in double-figures, joined by Richard Benedyth who had 21 points, and Andre Brown who had his second-straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds
The Muleriders shot 57 percent from the field (37-for-65), 27 percent on three-pointers (4-for-15), and 69 percent on foul shots (9-for-13). SAU's Denarious Lockhart led the team with 18 points, and was one of five Muleriders in double-figures, including Alvin Braddock, who had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
UAM is back in action on Thursday at home against Ouachita Baptist University. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Steelman Field House.
