MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Senior Carel Ray Jr. and junior Christian Caldwell each delivered 18 points with the former adding 13 rebounds to nearly match the latter's output from the night before and Southern Arkansas picked up its 15th consecutive win against non-conference opposition at home with a decisive 83-48 victory over Ecclesia College on Friday night inside the W.T. Watson Center.
 
Ray shot 7-for-15 and added two steals and a block to his stat ledger. Caldwell followed with eight rebounds and an assist as he also made eight of his dozen free throw attempts. Redshirt freshman Anthony Igiede scored 15 points with eight boards, including six on the offensive end, and junior Jay Barnes added ten points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Junior Jaren Harris accounted for three of SAU's eight makes from deep.
 
Southern Arkansas (2-2) carried a 40-21 lead into the intermission behind an overall floor clip of 41.9% and a +14 margin in paint scoring. Both teams struggled from the perimeter combining for six makes in 28 first-half attempts. However, the Muleriders finished the opening twenty at +12 in rebounding.
 
EC led for 2:14 of the first half which saw four lead changes and two tied scores, but the Muleriders began to take over with just under 9:30 to play in the half. SAU used free throws from Ray and a paint jumper by Caldwell to build its lead to 22-14 with just under eight remaining before the break and the Muleriders closed the half on an 18-7 run.
 
It was all Southern Arkansas in the second half as they held the Royals to zero three-point makes in eight attempts behind an overall shooting clip of just 20.7% (6-for-29). For the game, the Muleriders outscored EC inside 38-16, finished +13 in points off turnovers and +17 in second chance points.
 
The Muleriders turn their attention to a big in-region matchup as they welcome in #19 Angelo State on Tuesday, November 21. Tip-off from inside the W.T. Watson Center is set for 6 pm. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.