MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Southern Arkansas heads across state lines for the first time in league play to take on the top two teams in the Sooner State in Southeastern Oklahoma (1/11) and East Central (1/13). Both are tied for second place in the current GAC standings and the Muleriders are looking to snap a four-game losing streak. SAU tips off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night against the Savage Storm in Durant and plays in Ada against the Tigers on Saturday at 3 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com. 

TOP THREE AT TASK
>>> The Muleriders head to Oklahoma for the first time this season and two of the top three teams in the current GAC Standings await second-year head coach Logan Quinn's Muleriders. Southern Arkansas meets a pair of foes that it has played tight series against since all three became charter members of the GAC in 2011-12. SAU won its most previous meeting between the Savage Storm in Durant behind record-matching 16 made three-point attempts, the most ever on the road, in a three-point win last February. SAU trailed by 13 points at halftime of its last trip to Ada before it produced 47 second-half points behind an overall shooting clip of 50.8%, but the Muleriders came up short in a 91-83 loss to the Tigers.

BOARDING SCHOOL
>>> The Muleriders lead the GAC in offensive rebounds per game at 14.67 which ranks ninth nationally; its highest current DII ranking of any statistic. 
>>> SAU ranks second in the GAC in Rebounds per game at 39.75 which ranks in the top 40 in Division II. SAU's +7.7 board margin is second among league foes and the squad's defensive rebounding of 25.08 ranks fourth in the GAC. 

RAY LEADS THE WAY
>>> Senior Carel Ray Jr. leads the GAC in total rebounds with 97 and in rebounds per game at 8.1
>>> The North Carolina native also paces the Muleriders in minutes (34:45), points (194), scoring average (16.2), three-point attempts (79), field goals (72) and field goal attempts (179).
>>> Ray has scored in Double figures in 11 straight games, owns seven games of 18 or more points and has recorded four double doubles in 12 contests this season.

SHOW AND TELL
>>> True Freshman Nevi Tell has been a highly-welcomed addition for Quinn this season. 
>>> The Magnolia Native is one of six players to see action in at least 11 games this campaign. He is averaging 22.7 minutes per game. 
>>> He currently ranks sixth in the GAC in steals per game with 1.55. 
>>> Tell leads the Muleriders in steals (17) and assists (31).
>>> In four of his past five games, Tell has dished out at least four assists and six times this season he has recorded two or more steals.

TONY TO THE LINE
>>> Redshirt freshman guard Anthony Igiede ranks fourth in the GAC in FT% at 90.0%. His 45 made free throws rank sixth in the league. 
>>> SAU has not had a player with 15 or more starts across a full season finish at 90% from the line or better in its GAC membership.

TURNAROUND ON TAP?
>>> SAU has lost four straight games for just the second time under Quinn. Last season, the Muleriders lost to ECU, UAM, SNU and OBU before rattling off five straight which included three games to win the tournament crown. 

SCOUTING THE SAVAGE STORM
>>> SE enters the weekend a perfect 4-0 at home this season. After having won four of five games, the Savage storm dropped a road tilt to league-leading Arkansas Tech on January 6. 
>>> AT 4-2 in GAC play, SE is tied with SAU's Saturday opponent ECU for second in the GAC Standings. Thursday night's meeting will be the 24th between the two teams as GAC foes. 
>>> The Savage Storm enter as one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country ranking 14th in 3pt shots made/game at 10.6 behind a top 20 mark in 3pt attempts/game at 27.9. Both averages are tops in the GAC as is SE's scoring offense of 87.5 which ranks 20th in DII.
>>> Additionally, the Savage Storm lead the GAC and rank seventh in the nation in free throw percentage sinking just under 80% of their shots.
>>> Kody Clouet leads the GAC in total points (278) and ranks second in scoring average (19.9). Clouet's 52.6% success rate from 3pt range is third nationally. 

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
>>> ECU owns a 5-1 record at home and among its eight victories this season are non-conference wins against Minnesota Duluth and Oklahoma Christian. 
>>> SAU matches up with the Tigers for the 24th time as GAC foes and for the 29th time overall. The Muleriders have not fared well in Ada during its GAC tenure having won just twice in its 11 previous games.
>>> The Tigers boast a scoring defense that ranks inside the top 45 nationally as ECU is allowing just 67.9 ppg to opponents; a mark that ranks second in the GAC.
>>> ECU scores at 71.2 ppg behind a 46.8% mark from the floor. 
>>> Keyon Thomas leads ECU in scoring average at 14.8 ppg and Godsgift Ezedinma follows at 12.4 ppg. 
>>> Mohamed Elgohary is the top rebounder at 6.4 per game and Ezedinma follows with 5.3. 
>>> As a team, the Tigers are shooting 34.1% from beyond-the-arc and are allowing opponents to shoot 36.5% from range.