The Dallas Baptist Patriot Basketball Team suffered a 77-64 loss to Southern Arkansas on Saturday afternoon at the Burg Center. A late comeback attempt that included a 9-0 run in the final two minutes, proved to be too little too late for the Patriots as they were handed their first home loss of the season. DBU is now 3-2 on the season.

The Patriots fell behind early in the game after the visiting Muleriders jumped out to a quick, 15-point lead after the first ten minutes of play. Connecting on 53 percent of their shots from the floor and outrebounding the Patriots 20-12 in the first half, the Muleriders held a 37-22 lead at the break.

Southern Arkansas maintained their double-digit lead for most of the second half, with the Patriots cutting their deficit to 13 on three separate occasions throughout the half. Two free throws by Junior Armie Lewis with 8:07 left to play, closed the gap to as little as 12 points, 55-43.

After a Mulerider jumper that pushed their lead to 19 with 5:57 left on the clock, the Patriots initiated a trapping press that forced five turnovers over the next four minutes. A steal by Junior Jordan McGowen led to a three-pointer by Lewis, sparking the Patriot rally. After two consecutive SAU turnovers, Sophomore Joseph Carrington's bucket and a three-pointer by Senior Braxton Adamson cut the lead to 11, with 1:50 to play.

McGowen knocked down another jumper for the Patriots and followed with his fourth steal of the night that resulted in a pair of free throws, to bring the Patriots to within seven points, 69-62, with only 1:23 left in the game. That's as close as the Patriots would get, however, as SAU pushed their lead back to double-digits for the 77-64 win.

McGowen and Adamson were the only Patriots in double-figures, each finishing with 12 points apiece. McGowen was only one rebound away from a double-double, ending the afternoon with nine boards. Lewis and Sophomore Nick Fox each chipped in nine points for the Patriots.

DBU will close out their five game home-stand on Monday evening, as they welcome Ouachita Baptist to the Burg Center. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.