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Southern Arkansas MULERIDERS (6-7, 3-5 GAC) |
at Henderson State REDDIES (7-9, 3-5 GAC)
Thursday, January 21 @ 7:30 p.m
Arkadelphia, Ark. (Duke Wells Center)
Live Audio (SAU Feed) | Live Stats | Live Video (HSU Feed) |
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GAME NOTES (PDF)
Setting the Stage
Tonight's game is a make-up date for the previously scheduled matchup between the Southern Arkansas Muleriders and the Henderson State Reddies. The original matchup was scheduled for Saturday, December 7, but it was postponed due to inclement weather.
This will be the Muleriders' fifth road game of the season. They are currently 1-3 on the road in their previous four games played away from the W.T. Watson Center. The Muleriders will also be looking to build on their gutsy 63-58 win over Arkansas Tech in their most recent action.
The Coaches
Southern Arkansas is led by second-year head coach Andy Sharpe. In his first season at the helm, Sharpe led the Muleriders to the Great American Conference Tournament. A NAIA National Coach of the Year prior to coming to SAU, Sharpe brings a wealth of successful coaching experience to the Mulerider basketball program.
Henderson State is coached by Doug Nichols. Now in his third season, Nichols has compiled a 30-24 record at HSU in his first two seasons. In his first season, Nichols led the Reddies to a second-place regular season finish in the Great American Conference.
Last Time Out
The Muleriders are coming off of 63-58 win at home against Arkansas Tech. In that game, the Muleriders overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half to beat the Wonder Boys for the first time since February 10, 2007.
Statistically, the Muleriders had two players score in double figures with Chauncy Williams leading the way with 17 points. 12 of Williams' points came from beyond the arc as he was 4-of-7 from deep. Jeffrey Walker was next in scoring with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Walker was also a force on both sides of the glass as he pulled down 11 total rebounds (five offensive, six defensive) to notch his second double-double of the year. Alre'k Brown was also a force on the boards as he pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Brown, the GAC's leading shot-blocker, added to his total with five rejections against Tech.
Last Time vs. Henderson State (February 14, 2013)
These two teams closed out the regular season a year ago and it was Henderson State who ended the year with a victory as they beat Southern Arkansas 78-67. Daviel Clements led the Muleriders in scoring that game with 16 points.
Checking the Standings
Southern Arkansas enters play this evening with a 3-5 record in the GAC and currently sits in a tie for seventh-place in the standings. If they season were to end today, the Muleriders would be in a tie for the No.6 seed in the tournament
Henderson State enters tonight's game in a tie for seventh-place with a 3-5 GAC record. If the season were to end today, the Reddies would be in a tie for the No.6 seed in the tournament.
Starting from the Bottom
Despite making the conference tournament as the no. 8 seed a year ago, the 2013-14 SAU men's basketball team was tabbed to finish 11th out of 11 in the GAC preseason coach's poll. Eight talented newcomers and lone returner Duke Reed will figure to have something to say about where they actually finish the season
What Can Brown Do For You?!
So far this season, Alre'k Brown has shown that he can do just about everything for the Mulerider basketball team. Brown currently leads the team in FG % (.677) and blocked shots/per game (40/3.1). Brown is also the team leader in rebounds/per game (107/8.2). In those same categories, Brown ranks first in the GAC in blocks/per game and FG %, while ranking 3rd in rebounds.
Nemo For Three-Mo
Junior guard Nemo Sanchez has been one of the Muleriders' top three-point threats so far this season as he has buried a team-leading 34 trifectas. His 34 made three-pointers are 3rd in the GAC. On the year, Sanchez had made at least one three-pointer in 11 of 13 games played this season. After a two-game slump in which Sanchez was 0-for-8 from deep, the Pasadena, Texas native broke out in a big way as he knocked down five (5) treys against Southern Nazarene (1/11/14).
Francis and Williams Join the Mix
Junior transfers Aaron Francis and Chauncy Williams were eligible to join the team at semester and have provided much-needed depth to the Muleriders, who were down to eight (8) healthy players at the end of the fall semester.
Since joining the active roster, Williams has scored in double figures in each game played and leads the team in scoring (18.0 ppg) during that time.
No No No No, Not in Our House
BEWARE: Opponents who choose to enter the paint against the Muleriders must do so at their own risk. On the year, the Muleriders have blocked a total of 60 shots for an average of 4.6 blocks per game. The blocks per game are tops in the GAC and rank the Muleriders in the top 40 in Division II. Twice this season, the Muleriders have blocked 10 or more shots.
Junior forward Alre'k Brown has been the most dominate shot-blocker on the team as he has a GAC-leading 40 blocks and 3.1 blocks per game.
Reaching the Century Mark
The Muleriders have reached the century mark in scoring twice this season, making it five times under second-year
head coach Andy Sharpe that the Muleriders have achieved that feat. The five 100+ point games between last season and this season are the most during a two-year stretch since the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons when the Muleriders had seven such games.
Not So Charitable Stripe
The "Charity Stripe" had been less than giving to the Muleriders through the first seven (7) games this season as they were shooting a conference-low 61% (112-of-185) from the free throw line. In the six game since, the Muleriders are shooting 67% from the FT line but they still have a season percentage only 64% which ranks 10th in the GAC.
Winning Inside the Paint
One of the keys to the Muleriders' success this season has been when they have won the battle in the paint. Five of their six wins this season have come when they have scored more points in the paint.
Playing the Percentages
Through 13 games this season, the SAU men's basketball team is shooting just over 45% (353-of-780) from the floor, which ranks them sixth in the GAC. In five games, the Muleriders have shot over 45% and are 3-2 in such games. When the Muleriders do not shot over 45% in a game, they are currently 3-5.
Break Time
Through 11 games this season, the SAU men's basketball team has taken a lead into halftime seven times. In those games, the Muleriders are 5-2. When they do not lead at the break, the Muleriders are currently 1-5.
Did You Know?!
? - The Muleriders are currently averaging 77.6 points per game, which ranks 4th in the GAC?!
? - The Muleriders rank 1st in the GAC in blocked shots (60/4.6) and steals (121/9.3)?!
? - Chauncy Williams is leading the team in scoring (18.0 ppg) since he joined the active roster
? - Williams has made 19 three-pointers in five games played for an average of 3.8 makes/game
? - Alre'k Brown's 17 rebounds vs. Central Baptist were the most in a game since 2003?!
? - Nemo Sanchez has made five (5) or more three-pointers in a game three (3) times.
