MAGNOLIA, Ark. – 2023-24 is officially underway for Adam Collins and crew as the Muleriders open up the new campaign with two wins from the Central Region Tipoff against Newman and Lincoln of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Of the two competitions, Southern Arkansas outscored its opponents 177-108 as they did not trail in all but one period of play.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Diamond Morris led the Muleriders in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals. Morris set a new career-high with 27 points against Lincoln University of Missouri while also accounting for ten rebounds for just her third double-double of her career. She was responsible for 12 total rebounds (2 ORB/10 DRB), seven assists, and nine steals. Addy Tremie had the hot hand against the Newman Jets as she knocked down five from deep with a .625 three-point percentage. Jessica Clemons made .889 percent of her free throws as she was successful on eight of her nine.
 
As a team, SAU counted 64 made shots of 147 (.435) and only allowing 40-116 to the opposing. The Muleriders knocked down 16 of their 50 three-point attempts while giving up just eight to opponents with just 31 opportunities. Southern Arkansas outrebounded their opponents 94 to 83 and recorded more than double the steals of the Tipoff's opposition.
 
Vs. Newman
The Newman Jets started the Amy Briggs era against the Muleriders and came out attacking quick, but were met by the even faster Collins offense. Newman gained a lead just twice in the contests; that being a 0-2 lead and a 13-14 lead late in the first period. Since that moment, the Muleriders jumped in front and never looked behind them. SAU ended the first period up 23-14, the second 42-25, the third 75-36, and the game 98-48. The Muleriders forced 37 turnovers with two dozen steals en route to an NCAA Era record for points in a season opener and its highest scoring output to start a campaign since 1987-88.
 
 
Team Leaders vs. Newman
Tremie led the team in scoring for game one with 21 points thanks to her five made threes. Jessica Clemons and Marlee Bright each connected for five assists to lead the team. Sihirah Reese had control over the paint as she recorded seven rebounds with five on defense and three on offense. Zykeria Anderson and Marlee Bright both led the squad in steals with five each.
 
Vs. Lincoln (MO)
SAU's matchup against the Blue Tigers looked to be a classic till about hallway in the fourth period when the Muleriders began to expand their 55-50 lead after three to an eventual 19-point victory to earn win number two for year number six in Adam Collins Southern Arkansas career, The Muleriders sealed their triumph with an 81-62 final and thanks to 38 points off of the Blue Tigers' 33 turnovers.
Team Leaders vs. Lincoln (MO)
As stated previously, Morris led Southern Arkansas in scoring with 27 points while she also led with five assists, seven steals, and ten rebounds. Tremie accounted for 14 points off of her five made field goals. Freshman Kyleigh Scoggins was second in steals (4) in which she was responsible for a couple crucial turnovers for SAU to run away with its second win.
 
UP NEXT
With the Central Region Tipoff out of the way, the 'Riders now prepare for Arlington Baptist and Centenary College (La.) on this coming Thursday and Saturday. Tipoff for Arlington Baptist is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday evening while Centenary will tip at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon inside the W.T. Watson Center. For more information on Mulerider Women's Basketball, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.