MAGNOLIA, Ark. ­­­– For the second time since the 2005-06 season, the Southern Arkansas women's basketball team played host to the top-ranked team in Division II as SAU took on No. 1 Emporia State inside the W.T. Watson Center on Wednesday evening.
 
Unfortunately, the top-ranked Lady Hornets (9-0) would prove to be too much for the Lady Muleriders (4-7) as Emporia defeated SAU by a score of 85-42.
 
Helping lead the Lady Hornets to the victory was a solid overall shooting performance in which they shot 53% (31-of-59) from the floor. ESU nearly matched that overall percentage from beyond the arc as they shot 52% (12-of-23) from deep. Conversely, the Lady Muleriders were held to 28% (14-of-50) overall from the floor and 15% (2-of-13) from three-point range. The Lady Muleriders did shoot well from the free throw line, however, as they went 12-of-17 from the line for a 71% success rate.
 
Indivudally, seven Lady Muleriders would score in the game with junior forward Rosa Bryant leading the way with 20 points.
 
The Lady Muleriders will now enter in their Christmas break and are set to return to the hardwood on New Year's Eve as they will play at Division I, Stephen F. Austin in an exhibition game. Tip-off for that game is set for 6 p.m.  After that, the Lady Muleriders return to regular season action on Saturday, January 3 at home as they take on Henderson State. Tip-off for that game is set for 2 p.m.