MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Muleriders prepared themselves to meet the challenge of #5/2 Southern Nazarene coming inside the W.T. Watson Center with a hard-fought ballgame as Southern Arkansas held with the only undefeated Division II Women's basketball team in the land for three quarters, but fell short of the Crimson Storm in the final quarter of with a final score of 59-72 to move SAU to 9-6 overall with a 4-5 record in the Great American Conference.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Diamond Morris and Tequaza Chambers each led the Muleriders in scoring being the only two players with double-digit figures at 11 points each. Morris went 5-9 from the floor while going 1-2 from beyond the arc. Chambers accounted for four shots made of her eight attempts while also making 50% from three at 2-4. Zykeria Anderson led the team at the charity stripe making three of her four opportunities on the night. Sihirah Reese led Southern Arkansas in boards with six (2 OREB | 4 DREB).
 
THE GAME
After tip-off, this game looked as if it was going to be one-sided in favor of SNU early. The Crimson Storm got out to an early 13-6 lead against SAU, but would be gradually met with resilience from the Muleriders attempting to close the gap between the two. Eventually in the first period, Southern Nazarene jumped to a 12-point lead (23-11), but would conclude the inaugural quarter by surrendering a three-pointer to Qua Chambers (23-14). In the second period, SNU jumped out to a 13-point lead (31-18), but was countered by another Chambers three to start giving the 'Riders the momentum they needed to close the deficit (31-21). From that point on, SAU went on a 12-4 run to close out the half down 33-35. Entering the second-half, Southern Arkansas came out on top in momentum as they recorded an early shot made by Morris to tie ballgame. SNU would add a jumper of its own, but would once again be countered by another Chambers jumper to tie the matchup at 37. A Riley Stanford three-pointer swung some more momentum the 'Riders way, and their first lead since being up 4-2 just over a minute into the game. After this, Southern Nazarene showed why it is the #5/2 team in the land they rattled off a 13-4 run to close out the third period (50-44). From then on, SAU could not fight its way back into the game as SNU outscored the Mulerider 22-15 in the final quarter of play to earn its fifteenth victory of the season now at 15-0 (9-0 GAC).
 
NEXT GAME
Southern Arkansas will face-off against Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday to battle out for fifth-place in the GAC at 1:00 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Center. For more information on this and other Mulerider Athletic events, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.