MAGNOLIA, ARK. – The Southern Arkansas University women's basketball team will face off against two non-conference opponents over Thanksgiving break, as they are set to make their third out of state road trip of the season as they will take on The University of Texas at Tyler on Wednesday afternoon in Tyler, Texas. The Muleriders will have two days off and return to the court on Saturday afternoon as they are set to host Christian Brothers University in their home opener. There will be free admission to Saturday's 2:00 p.m. contest against CBU.
The 3-0 Muleriders will take on a 1-1 UTT Patriot squad who's only win came against NCAA Division III Letourneau University 79-59. The Patriots fell last Saturday to fellow Great American Conference member Henderson State University 73-65. UTT comes into tomorrow's matchup averaging 72.0 ppg compared to SAU's 94.0 ppg.
The Patriots are shooting 47% from the field, and have been led by Liah Davis (20.0 ppg) and Destini Whitehead (12.5 pgg). Davis also leads UTT with (9.0 rpg). UTT has gone 4-38 since becoming an NCAA Division II member. Tomorrow's tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
The Muleriders will have two days off before they are set to bring their chaotic style of play into the W.T. Watson Athletic Center for the first time this season as they welcome in the 1-3 Buccaneers of Christian Brothers University. Like UTT, CBU has also taken on familiar GAC opponents as they fell to Henderson State University 86-45 and Arkansas Tech 84-63. The Bucs also fell to Embry-Riddle 79-65, while their lone win came against Rollins in a two points 65-63 victory.
CBU comes into Saturday's contest averaging 59.5 pgg, while shooting only 33% from the floor. The Bucs have connected on 28-100 shots from behind the arc and average 40.8 rpg. They have been outscored 312-238. Emily Jones has led the Bucs with 18.0 ppg followed by Yaya Coleman (11.5 ppg). Coleman leads the team with 9.5 rpg followed by Jones with 7.8 rpg.
The 3-0 Muleriders will be looking for their first 4-0 start since the 2015-2016 season and have the potential to match that 5-0 start in 15-16 with two wins this week. Through three games the Muleriders have outscored their opponents 282-235, with a +15.7 scoring margin. SAU's 94.0 ppg ranks 4
th best in NCAA DII.
SAU has six players averaging double figures in scoring as they are led by
Kenzie Ezekiel (13.0 ppg) and
Diamond Morris (12.3 ppg).
Kisi Young is averaging 11.3 pgg, while
Jessica Jones and
Kylie Warren both average 11.0 ppg.
Jerica Bell is averaging 10.0 pgg for the Muleriders. SAU is shooting 43% from the field and 35% from behind the arc. Ezekiel has connected on eight of her 17 three point attempts for 47% from behind the arc.
The SAU defense is averaging 32.0 forced turnovers per game which ranks 4
th best in NCAA DII while collecting forcing 96 through three games, 52 being steals. Ezekiel leads SAU with 10 steals followed by Bell with eight.
Kisi Young leads the Muleriders with 21 rebounds (7.0 rpg) followed by Ezekiel and Warren with 12 (4.0 rpg).
