MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Seven lead changes and three tied scores highlighted a frantic back-and-forth first half of action on Thursday evening from inside the W.T. Watson Center, but it was Southern Arkansas, which needed a fourth-quarter rally from down 14 entering the final ten minutes, that came up short as the Muleriders stumbled in its final contest of 2021 falling 73-66 to Northwestern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference play.
 
The Muleriders (7-3, 2-2 GAC) were led by senior Kisi Young who delivered 14 points with two steals, an assist and one rebound. Junior Mychala Linzy, back after a lengthy absence due to injury, followed with 12 points, all from three-point range, and added two rebounds and two assists.
 
SAU started hot, shooting 53.8% from the floor with six of the team's seven makes coming from beyond-the-arc, but trailed 25-22 after the opening ten minutes and fell behind by nine at the intermission. The Muleriders entered the fourth quarter down 65-51, but employed a defense that surrendered just four makes by the Rangers in a dozen attempts during that time. Additionally, NWOSU made ten three-point attempts in the win, but missed its only attempt in the final ten minutes. The Rangers went 13-for-14 from the charity stripe, but did not attempt a shot from the line in the fourth quarter.
 
NWOSU scored six points in the final quarter off of turnovers, while 18 of SAU's 27 such points came in the second and third quarters. The Muleriders finished +6 in turnover margin, but was outrebounded 43-27 and finished -5 in offensive rebound margin as the Rangers corralled 17 boards on the offensive glass.
 
The Muleriders face their first quick league turnaround of the season as Southwestern Oklahoma State comes to Magnolia for a New Year's Day clash. Tipoff from inside the W.T. Watson Center is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.