MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Southern Nazarene had one roller coaster of a conference opener as it rallied from being down four to force overtime where it came from behind again to grab a 70-67 win over Southern Arkansas.
 
The Great American Conference opener was nothing short of exciting as LB Willis pushed the Crimson Storm (2-0, 1-0 GAC) into overtime and put SNU on top early in the extra period, but only drama followed. Southern Nazarene trailed 60-56 with less than a minute to play when the sophomore got a dunk with 37 seconds left before hitting the tying basket with two seconds left to force overtime.
 
Willis got things going quickly for the Storm in overtime when he hit a free throw and a jumper to give SNU a 63-60 lead. The Muleriders (0-1, 0-1 GAC) though scored five straight to lead 65-63, but a Jared Starkey free throw and a Francisco Hukill trey put SNU on top 67-65. SNU hit free throws from there to keep just enough distance for the win.
 
Willis finished with a team-high 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Kankaanpaa had 14 points going 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Starkey had a career-high 13 points and added six rebounds and three blocks.
                                  
The Crimson Storm shot 43.9 percent from the field going 18-for-41 and went 7-for-19 from 3-point range. SNU got to the line 42 times and hit 27 of those attempts.
 
The Muleriders led by as much as 13 in the second half, but the Storm used a 22-9 run over the final 11 minutes of play to tie the game.