MAGNOLIA, Ark. - For the first time in 2023-24, the Southern Arkansas Men's and Women's Basketball teams shared the Thursday night spotlight as both were in action inside the W.T. Watson Center. The SAU Women crossed over the century mark as they overcame a sluggish start to win 101-51 over Arlington Baptist and improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Mulerider Men survived a tight 78-77 outcome against Arlington Baptist to earn their first win of the season and move to 1-2.
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SAU (3-0) saw seven players end up in double figures led by Sihirah Reese's dozen points and nine rebounds. Lynn Griffin and Layla Carter followed with 11 points and four other players scored ten points. A 37-point second quarter jump started the Muleriders after the two teams managed just 20 first-quarter points as SAU led 12-8 through one. SAU outscored ABU 52-29 in the second half.
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The Mulerider Women shot 41.7% from the floor and turned 35 ABU turnovers into 38 points. Southern Arkansas gathered 25 steals and collected the second-most rebounds in a game with 72 as SAU finished +32 in rebounding.
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The Southern Arkansas Men (1-2) used a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds with six assists and three steals from senior Gregory Hammond Jr. to outlast a pesky Patriots squad. Hammond blocked a three-quarter court heave by ABU to preserve the victory. The Muleriders led 37-35 at the half and were outscored 42-41 in the second twenty minutes despite leading by as much as 14 points with 14 minutes to play.
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SAU scored seven more points off of turnovers than the Patriots. The Muleriders shot 44.1% from the floor and made eight three-point attempts. Three players, Mohamed Traore, Jaren Harris and Carel Ray Jr., joined Hammond in double figures as SAU won its 15th straight game against non-conference opponents at home.
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The Southern Arkansas Men return to action on Friday night at 7pm against Ecclesia. The SAU Women are in action on Saturday at 2pm against Centenary. Live coverage links for both home games are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
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