CAMDEN — The stat lines for Tobias Prall and Derek Magwood may as well indicate how angry Southeast Arkansas College’s men’s basketball team felt at Southern Arkansas University Tech on Saturday.
Prall canned seven 3-point baskets on his way to a game-high 25 points; Magwood struck a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds; and SEARK rebounded from Thursday’s defeat at the University of Arkansas-Cossatot with a 98-81 win over the Rockets.
“We kind of took (the loss to Cossatot) personal, so we needed a big game to help us get back on our feet after that loss,” said Prall, who has made a 3-pointer in each game but one this season. “I needed to get us going in the game early, set the tempo and help us finish it out.”
The No. 24 Sharks (15-4, 6-3 in Region 2) missed a chance to share the lead in the 9-team region after losing for the second time as a nationally ranked team in NJCAA Division II. They took out all frustrations on one of their south Arkansas rivals Saturday after trailing 17-13 in the first 5:20. The Sharks scored 16 unanswered points from that point, with Jehu Wright (15 points) buoying the rally.
SEARK, which led 49-35 at halftime, made 15 3-point baskets. Torrey Caswell (16 points) connected on four 3-pointers.
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SAU Tech (9-10, 3-6) pulled within single digits on multiple occasions in the second half but came within no closer than 70-64 with 9:20 to go. That’s when the Sharks reignited their 3-point assault, hitting from outside the arc on their next three shots while the Rockets had to count on free-throw shooting (29 of 36 for the game) to stay within striking distance.
Although the Rockets’ surge was still glaring, neither team called a timeout until SEARK did with 6:15 remaining. SAU Tech got within 80-73 before treys by Prall and Magwood ignited an 18-2 run to all but seal up the win.
“When we’re this late in the year, I just feel like I know what we’ve got,” Sharks Coach Chad Kline said. “I felt good tonight. The other night at Cossatot, I spent all six timeouts right out of the jump because I didn’t feel good at all. I knew how they were playing us, and if we could just get past one guy, we could penetrate and kick, and then when (Prall) gets going — just give him the ball and get out of the way — it makes coaching a lot easier.”
Israel Malone dropped in 12 points for SEARK, which made 12 of 23 free throws. For SAU Tech, Jaleel Thrower scored 21 points, with Glenn Applewhite IV adding 18 and Christopher Barnett 15.
Monday’s game at UAPB’s H.O. Clemmons Arena against Arkansas State University-Newport, set for 2 p.m., will be the fifth in eight days for the Sharks, who have not lost two games in a row in their inaugural season.
“After this game, hopefully we get it going Monday, too,” Prall said. “I took it very personal, so I don’t expect losing anymore going forward.”
WOMEN: SAU Tech 69, SEARK 38
Earlier Saturday, four SAU Tech women scored in double figures, and the Rockets made 14 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter to expand an 11-point lead at the end of the third quarter to a 31-point win.
SEARK (8-8, 3-5 Region 2) trailed 37-19 before scoring 7 unanswered and staying within 44-33 at the period’s end. Amethyst Price scored 9 of her 14 points in the frame, finishing as the Sharks’ lone double-figure scorer.
“Their press really hurt us,” Sharks Coach Sam Waniewski said. “We struggled to beat the press. Defensively we did a good job third quarter, but we struggled with our communication in the second quarter. That really hurt us.”
Recent Star City High graduates Marshay King and Sarajane Linsy combined for 13 points. Linsy did not play the second half due to injury.
“From what I’ve heard, she’s had an injury with her leg,” Waniewski said. “Hopefully she’s not long-term out, but she dealt with an injury and wasn’t able to go. That hurt.”
Ny’Asia Jackson scored 16 to lead the Rockets (7-3, 5-2). Ja’Daeya Larry had 15 points, Rasheedah Phillips 13 and Zaccheya Jackson 11.
SAU Tech is the defending Region 2 and Central Plains District champion but has not played as many games as other teams while replacing seven sophomores from last season’s squad. Recent inclement weather, cancellations by other teams and injuries have played a role in the Rockets’ season thus far, Coach Aramie Brooks said.
“We’ve had a couple of games off and on, so we’ve had a couple of games where we have been kind of shaky, trying to get used to having those games apart,” Brooks added. “In the second half, we usually come out and our defense usually adjusts to how other teams play.
Waniewski’s Sharks have faced challenges with Saturday’s game being the fourth in six days. The date was a makeup from a postponement due to the winter storm earlier this month that snarled south Arkansas.
“We haven’t had a lot of preparation time in between games to scout and stuff like that,” said Waniewski, who also assists Kline with the men’s team. “It’s been a rough week because we had to play, regroup, get our bodies ready and get ready for the next game without much preparation time.”
The Shark women will have extra rest time before heading to North Arkansas College in Harrison on Thursday.