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SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
MULERIDERS
9-12 (7-8 GAC)
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ARKANSAS TECH
WONDER BOYS
15-4 (11-4 GAC)
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HENDERSON STATE
REDDIES
13-8 (8-7 GAC)
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GAME NOTES (PDF)
Tipping Off
The Southern Arkansas men's basketball is looking to exact some retribution on their next two opponents as the Muleriders suffered losses to both Arkansas Tech and Henderson State earlier in the year. Both
losses came by a combined eight points as the Wonder Boys edged the Muleriders by two in Magnolia and the Reddies were able to beat SAU by six points at home in Arkadelphia.
This weekend's games carry a tremendous amount of importance to the Muleriders as they are playing to secure a spot in the upcoming Great American Conference Tournament in March. It would be the Muleriders'sixth-straight appearance in the GAC Tournament.
Currently, the Muleriders are slotted in the eighth and final tournament position and are two games in front of the ninth-place team, Northwestern Oklahoma. Arkansas Tech is tied for second in the standings, but Henderson State is tied for sixth and are just one game ahead of SAU.
MULERIDER NEWS & NOTES
The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team enters play this weekend with a 9-12 overall record and a 7-8 mark in the GAC. The Muleriders are coming off of a 10-point loss at home to Northwestern Oklahoma, but SAU has won three of their last five games as well. On the season, the Muleriders are averaging 72.5 points per game, which ranks ninth in the GAC. Defensively, the Muleriders rank fourth in scoring defense in the GAC at 73.0 points per game, and their -0.5 scoring margin ranks 10th in the league.
As a team, the Muleriders are shooting .423 (538-of-1,271) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .313 (116-of-371) from long range. From the free throw line, the Muleriders are shooting .652 (331-of-508). Their overall field goal percentage ranks 11th in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage also ranks 11th. At the charity stripe the Muleriders' percentage ranks 11th.
Individually, the Muleriders have three players who are averaging double figures in scoring with
CJ Elkins leading the team at 17.1 points per game. Elkins' scoring average ranks sixth in the GAC.
Snyder Cenecharles is next on the team at 10.7 ppg and
De'Sean Dockery rounds out double figure scoring with a 10.0 ppg average.
The leading rebounder on the team is
Denarious Lockhart with 8.4 rpg. Elkins is the top assist man on the team with an average of 2.5 assists per game.
COACH
The Muleriders are coached by
Andy Sharpe, who is in his fifth season at Southern Arkansas. In his time at SAU, Sharpe has amassed a 63-70 overall record.
Over the past two seasons, Sharpe has begun to turn the Muleriders into serious contenders in the GAC as SAU has won 24 conference games and have finished in the top half of the standings each year as well. Overall in the past two seasons, Sharpe has guided the Muleriders to a 32-25 record while also posting consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS TECH
The Arkansas Tech men's basketball team enters play this weekend with a 15-4 overall record and are 11-4 in the Great American Conference. The Wonder Boys have won six-straight games, all in GAC play, with their last loss coming on the road at Harding on January 16.
As a team, the Wonder Boys are shooting .458 (598-of-1,305) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .373 (227-of-608) from long range. From the free throw line, the Wonder Boys are shooting .696 (268-of-385). Their overall field goal percentage ranks sixth in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage ranks third. At the charity stripe the Wonder Boys' percentage ranks eighth.
So far this season, the Wonder Boys are averaging 89.0 points per game offensively, and are allowing 83.3 points per game defensively. Their points per game scoring ranks first in the GAC while their scoring defense per game ranks last in the league.
Four Wonder Boys are averaging double-figures in scoring with Alex Brown leading the team with 15.1 points per game. Justin Graham is next at 13.6 ppg and Bennie Lufile and Montrell Williams each average 12.6 ppg. Lufile is also the team's leading rebounder at 9.2 rebounds per game. Graham is the team's top assist man at 5.4 assists per game.
COACH
The Wonder Boys are coached by Chad Kline, who is in his third season at Arkansas Tech. In his two seasons as head coach, Kline has led the Wonder Boys to a 33-28 overall record and a GAC Tournament Championship in his first season.
Prior to being named the head coach at Tech, Kline was an assistant coach in the program for three years under former head man Doug Karleskint.
LAST YEAR/LAST TIME OUT
Last time out, Arkansas Tech edged out the Muleriders, 90-88 in Magnolia. In that game, SAU had four players in double figures led by
CJ Elkins' 23 points. Additionally, all but two of those points came in the second half for Elkins.
THE SERIES
This is the 41st meeting since 1997-98 between SAU and Arkansas Tech and Tech holds a 26-14 advantage. SAU and ATU have met at least twice a year in that time as conference opponents.
SCOUTING HENDERSON STATE
The Henderson State men's basketball team enters play this weekend with a 13-8 overall record and an 8-7 mark in the Great American Conference. The Reddies enter the weekend coming off of a loss in their most recent game, a 76-66 loss at home to East Central.
On the season, the Reddies are averaging 79.1 points per game, which ranks fourth in the GAC. Defensively, the Reddies are allowing 73.7 points per game, ranking their scoring defense seventh in the GAC. Their +5.4 scoring margin ranks fifth in the league.
As a team, the Reddies are shooting .460 (610-of-1,327) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .325 (119-of-366) from long range. From the free throw line, the Reddies are shooting .745 (322-of-432). Their overall field goal percentage ranks fourth in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage ranks ninth. At the charity stripe the Reddies' percentage ranks first.
Individually, four Reddies are averaging double figures with Kaylon Tappin leading the way at 15.0 points per game. Chris Hawkins is next in scoring at 12.6 ppg and Kevin Kozan and Ben Marello round out double figure scoring at just over 10.0 ppg each. Hawkins is the team's leading rebounder at 6.8 boards per game. Matt Panaggio and Eric Dailey are tied as the top assist men on the team at 2.3 assists per game.
COACH
The Reddies are coached by Jimmy Elgas, who is in his second season at Henderson State. Last season, Elgas' Reddies finished 9-19 overall and were 7-15 in the GAC.
Prior to becoming head coach at Henderson, Elgas was the top assistant at the University of Evansville. While at Evansville, Eglas helped lead the Aces to five post-season appearances.
LAST YEAR/LAST TIME OUT
Last time out, Henderson defended its home court with a 76-72 win over SAU. In that game,
Denarious Lockhart had a monster double-double effort with 24 points and 14 rebounds. The 24 points were a career high for Lockhart.
THE SERIES
This is the 43rd meeting since 1997-98 between SAU and Henderson State with the two teams meeting at least twice a year in that time as conference opponents. This portion of the all-time series is controlled by Henderson, 27-15, but SAU has won three of the last five.
