MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Two big matchups call for one big event and that is the plan on Thursday inside the W.T. Watson Center as the Southern Arkansas University Department of Athletics has announced it is teaming up with SAU Student Activities (SAB) and Domino's Pizza to host Fan Appreciation Night on February 10 in conjunction with the Mulerider Men's and Women's Basketball games against Great American Conference foe Southeastern Oklahoma State.
 
"Over the past five years, we've seen very significant growth in support and overall attendance of our men's and women's basketball games and not only from the community, our alumni, and donors, but from our students," noted SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "This night is for all of our fans, but especially for our students who continue to bring a tremendous amount of energy each night we are in action and it has helped turn the W.T. Watson Center into a true home-court advantage."
 
The night features free popcorn and free hot dogs for all in attendance and free t-shirts courtesy of SAU Student Activities will be given out to SAU students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Mulerider students in attendance will have the opportunity to sign up and win gift cards (100 at $10 each), courtesy of Domino's Pizza, the official pizza provider of Mulerider Athletics. In addition to the free concession items listed above, students will have a chance to enter a three-point contest (halftime of the men's game) and cash pickup (halftime of the women's game) sponsored by SAB, while a spirit award will be presented to the rowdiest student organization. Sign-ups for the gift card drawing and contests begin at 5 p.m. on game day inside the W.T. Watson Center.
 
The Mulerider Basketball teams are a combined 14-6 at home inside the W.T. Watson Center this season and the SAU Men have won 17 of its past 20 home games dating back to its final home contest of the 2019-20 campaign. Both teams are in the thick of the GAC tournament race with just seven games remaining in the regular season. Scheduled tip-off is 5:30 p.m. for the women's game and 7:30 p.m. for the men's game.