Box Score Magnolia, Ark. – The state of Arkansas has not been kind to the Statesmen basketball team this season. The Statesmen dropped their third game in the “Natural State” Saturday as the fell to Southern Arkansas 86-64.

The first half was closely contested as the Muleriders took a 36-32 lead into the locker room at halftime. Southern Arkansas (3-4) shot 52 percent in the first half, and went 3-of-6 from three-point range. The Statesmen (4-3) shot 35 percent in the opening half, and were 1-of-6 from behind the three-point line.

The second half began like the first half, as both teams traded baskets. However, after the Statesmen cut the Mulerider lead to two with 13:19 to go in regulation, Southern Arkansas started rolling. Southern Arkansas went on a 37-17 run over the final 13:19, and cruised to the 86-64 victory.

Four Statesmen scored in double figures with junior forward Terry Leake Jr. leading the way. Leake scored a team-high 20 points, and also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Junior forward Ryan Smith chipped in 12 points, and grabbed four rebounds. Senior Center Marqueys Brown scored 11 points, as did sophomore guard Aaron Cooper.

Chase Spruiell led the Muleriders with a game-high 24 points. Three others scored in double-figures for Southern Arkansas as Rodney Hill scored 14, Casey Cheshier scored 11, and Chris Davis recorded 10 points.

The Statesmen finished the game shooting 38 percent from the field, and went 6-of-21 from the three-point line. Southern Arkansas shot 60 percent for the game, and went 6-of-11 from three-point range. The Statesmen were 16-of-25 from the free-throw line, and the Muleriders were 22-of-28 from the free-throw line. The Muleriders shared the ball well, as they recorded 23 assists compared to 11 for the Statesmen.

The Statesmen now head home to host Arkansas-Monticello. The game is set for Tuesday Dec. 6 with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. The Statesmen will look for revenge, as Monticello won the first game this season in Monticello, Ark. 88-57.