Box Score Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas women's basketball team entered Thursday night's game looking to pull the upset over the top team in the Great American Conference, but a late surge by East Central kept that from happening as the Lady Muleriders fell to the Lady Tigers by a score of 74-59 inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
 
The Lady Muleriders (0-19, 0-14 GAC) were forced to play from behind for much of the game as the Lady Tigers (16-4, 11-3 GAC) grabbed the game's initial lead early in the first half. Shooting a clip of nearly 50% for the first half, the Lady Tigers went into the locker room with a 17-point lead, 40-23.
 
East Central would begin the second half by knocking down a three-pointer to take their largest lead of the game, 20 points. Over the next five minutes of game play, the Lady Muleriders would battle back and go on a 16-6 run to cut the Lady Tigers lead down to 10, 46-36.
 
After the Lady Muleriders cut the deficit to 10 points and were riding a wave of momentum, ECU would answer right back with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to take that momentum away from SAU.
 
From there, the Lady Tigers would maintain a comfortable lead before ending the game with a 15-point margin of victory.
 
Statistically, the Lady Muleriders were led in scoring by Katherine McBride, who poured in 16 points. Behind McBride in scoring were Stevi Cooper and Lauren Jay as the duo scored 10 points each. Tori Nichols led the team in rebounding as she pulled down 10 boards.
 
The Lady Muleriders will remain at home as they will play host to Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday, February 9th. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the W.T. Watson Center.