MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Following the refreshing and needed holiday break, the Muleriders are back in Columbia County and look to rebound after having dropped their four consecutive ballgame previous to leaving for the annual intermission. Southern Arkansas sits at 6-4 after they came up short against the Patriots of the University of Texas at Tyler (11-3 | 5-0 LSC) in the Lone Star State. After coming out victorious over Henderson State (6-4 | 2-2 GAC) to start conference play, SAU has fallen to its last three league opponents. Head Coach Adam Collins now seeks to use the break as a way to refresh his Muleriders to saddle up for the remainder of the 2023-24 season in the new year.
TOP PERFORMERS
Going into 2024, senior Diamond Morris remains Southern Arkansas' top scorer as she has recorded 139 total points while making just under 45% of her field goals and 81.6% of her free throws. Addy Tremie continues to be SAU's top three-point shooter as she has made 19 from beyond the arc thus far. Having accounted for 51 total rebounds (20 ORB | 31 DRB), Sihirah Reese looks to continue giving the Muleriders second chances in the paint with her play on the board. Southern Arkansas looks to continue its fast-pace. With that comes the continuous turnovers forced by the 'Rider defense. SAU currently has five players with 20 or more steals and seeks more opportunities to continue that success.
COMING UP
To start the season back up, the Muleriders look to begin competition against their Sooner State foes with Southwestern Oklahoma State (6-4 | 3-1 GAC | 5th GAC) and #19 Northwestern Oklahoma State (11-1 | 3-1 GAC | 3rd GAC) coming to town this Thursday (Jan. 4) and Saturday (Jan. 6).
Southwestern Oklahoma State
After struggling with non-conference opponents, the Bulldogs began to turn on the gas having won three of their first four conference matchups with their only loss being to #7/2 Southern Nazarene. SWOSU has defeated Oklahoma Baptist (59-53), Southeastern Oklahoma State (52-49), and East Central (65-35).
Northwestern Oklahoma State
The Lady Rangers have done anything but struggle to start out one of their better seasons. NWOSU ended 2023 with an 11-1 record while going 3-1 in the league with its only defeat coming to the Crimson Storm. Northwestern Oklahoma State, in conference, has defeated East Central (74-58), Oklahoma Baptist (91-70), and Southeastern Oklahoma State (86-64).
Southern Arkansas tips off against SWOSU on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Center with Northwestern Oklahoma State coming into town on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off. For more information on Mulerider Women's Basketball, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
