MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Two bitter league rivals square off on the hardwood on Monday evening inside the W.T. Watson Center as Southern Arkansas plays host to Arkansas-Monticello on February 13 as part of the Great American Conference's Rivalry Monday. While there isn't any love lost between the two programs, Mulerider Athletics has announced that it is teaming up with SAU Student Activities and Domino's Pizza to show some love to SAU students for the department's annual Student Appreciation Night.
"Our students, especially over the past several years as we've experienced significant growth and support at Mulerider Basketball games, have been vital in creating a tremendous energy that has made the W.T. Watson Center a very tough place to play for opposing teams, noted SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning. ""This night is for all of our fans, but especially for our students and we look forward to being able to give back to them as a thank you for all that they have done to turn W.T. into a true home-court advantage."
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 gift card opportunity, 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 16-5 at home inside the W.T. Watson Center this season. The SAU Women are averaging 85.2 points per game at home and are a win away from their eighth home victory of the season which would match the most wins in Magnolia (8; 2019-20, 2015-16) by a Mulerider Women's Basketball team in the GAC Era (2011-12). The SAU Men are 52-8 in their last 60 home games dating back to the start of the 2018-19 season. 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.
