MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Eric Spencer's 3-pointer from the right corner with 12 seconds left to play in overtime lifted the Delta State Statesmen to an 86-85 victory at Southern Arkansas on Thursday.

Trailing by a point after a fast break dunk by Sanchez Dade, Spencer's (Marion, Ark./Arkansas-Fort Smith) triple put the Statesmen ahead 86-84 in a back-and-forth game. David Noble had a chance to tie the game for the Muleriders when he was fouled in the frontcourt, but only made one out of two shots. SAU got the rebound, but their final two desperation attempts missed their mark.

Marqueys Brown (Memphis, Tenn./Crichton College) led all scorers with 26 points. He was 10-of-13 shooting and also secured nine rebounds. Joe McCray (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Nebraska) scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Jeremie Davis (Arcadia, La./New Orleans) scored 16 points for Delta State (18-5, 9-2 Gulf South Conference).

Channin Harden led Southern Arkansas (9-15, 4-7 GSC) with 23 points. Dade added 18 points for the Statesmen.

The Statesmen led by as many 12 points in the second half, but an 11-0 Southern Arkansas run between the 9:22 and 6:40 marks after halftime put the Muleriders in striking distance. Delta State pushed the lead back up to five points with under five minutes to play, only to see the hosts tie it at 63 with 3:32 left in regulation.

The Muleriders led by as many as four points with less than a minute left, but the Statesmen were able to pull to within one point at 70-69 on a 3-pointer by McCray. After a fast-break dunk by Harden, Earnesto Green (Jackson, Miss./East Central CC) tied the game with 10 seconds left to play on a long 25-foot shot.

In a game filled with an excitement and controversy, Green's 3-pointer was contested by the Southern Arkansas bench, as a fan had fallen onto the court near the Statesmen as Green made his shot. Since the shot was made and not interfered with, the tying shot was allowed to stand.

Green finished the game with nine points, but also sustained an injury during the overtime period. Spencer added eight points.

The Statesmen return to action Saturday when they host No. 1 Arkansas Tech at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white and come and cheer on the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen as part of the “White Out Sillers” promotion. One of the promotional events will include a chance to win a semester's worth of tuition, courtesy of Domino's Pizza and Delta State athletics.

The doubleheader starts with the Lady Statesmen and Golden Suns tipping off at 4 p.m.