MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The 9-3 (5-1 GAC) Southern Arkansas University men's basketball team will look to stay on top of the Great American Conference leader boards this weekend, as they are set to hit the road to Oklahoma take on East Central University 4-7 (3-3 GAC) tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Southeastern Oklahoma State University 9-2 (4-1 GAC) on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

The Muleriders have won their last four GAC contests after a last second loss to Henderson State in early December, and have outscored their opponents 299-240 in those four games. SAU outscored both Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State by 20+ points last weekend, as the defense also shined holding both teams under 50 points.

SAU comes into tonight's game averaging 79.1 ppg with a +16.3 scoring average. The Muleriders have been led by four different double-digit scorers with Devante Brooks leading the way as he is averaging a double-double with 17.8 ppg and 11.3 rebounds per game. Brooks has eight double-double on the year and 37 for his career. Senior point guard Aaron Lucas is averaging 13.9 ppg and coming off of a season high 22 points against SWOSU, while both Jalen Brooks and Blake Rogers are averaging 11.3 ppg.

As a team, the Muleriders are shooting .44 % from the field (335-of-758) and .34% from three (105-of-36). D. Brooks leads the Muleriders with a .59% filed goal percentage from the floor. Lucas has connected on 26-of-71 (.36%) three point attempts, while Rogers has nailed 24-of-61 (.39%) from deep.

Jalen Brooks leads the team with 24 steals, followed by Lucas with 21. The Brooks brothers have pulled down a combined 218 rebounds with Devante leading the way with 136 (11.3 reb/g) followed by Jalen with 82 (6.8 reb/g).

Tonight's matchup with ECU will be the first meeting with the Tigers since the opening round of last year's GAC Tournament in which SAU came away with the 82-74 victory. ECU is averaging 76.6 ppg and they are led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Josh Apple (14.8 ppg) leads the team followed by Jalen Crutchfield (12.1 ppg) and Shemar Smith (12.8 ppg).

The Tigers are shooting .47% from the field (303-of-641) and .35% from deep (85-of-241).

Saturday's contest against SOSU will be the first matchup between the two schools since the Muleriders fell to the Savage Storm 83-69 in the GAC Tournament in March of 2020. SOSU is averaging 86.1 ppg this year and they are led by five double-digit scorers. Jett Sternberger is leading the Savage Storm with 19.8 ppg, followed by Ante Brzovic (15.5) ppg and Adam Dworsky (14.1 ppg).

You can find live links to both contests here.