TYLER, TEXAS – Despite holding a 34-30 lead at halftime and having three players score in double figures, the Southern Arkansas University women's basketball team dropped their first game as the season as they fell 78-72 to the University of Texas at Tyler on Wednesday afternoon.

The Muleriders jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter as they used a 9-0 run to start the game and would lead 21-6 after the first quarter of play. The second quarter would see the Muleriders pour on 13 points to the Patriots 24 points to lead 34-30 at the break.

SAU was able to hold the lead throughout the majority of the third quarter, until UTT was able to tie the game at 53-53 with 00:32 left in the quarter. The Patriots jumped out to their first lead of the game to start the fourth quarter after an Elli Emrich layup (9:25) to lead 55-53 and would go onto to hold that lead for the rest of the game as they came away with the 78-72 victory.

Ariana Guinn led the Muleriders with 16 points, followed by Kylie Warren and Kisi Young who both tallied 14 points. Twelve of Warren's 14 points came from the three ball as she knocked down four trifectas. Guinn led the squad with four assists followed by Young and Tearra Cook with three apiece.

Young was two rebounds shy of a double-double as she tallied eight, followed by Maggie Evans with six. Kenzie Ezekiel led the Muleriders with four steals, followed by Warren who collected three.

The Muleriders will have two days off for Thanksgiving break before they are set to return to the court on Saturday afternoon for their home opener, as will take on Christian Brothers University. There will be free admission to Saturday's 2:00 p.m. home opener.