MAGNOLIA, Ark. – First-year Head Coach Mark Rutledge understood the assignment when coaching his first games inside the W.T. Watson Center, as his Muleriders handled their business against Arlington Baptist with a 105-82 victory to close out the weekend. The century-mark outing marked Mulerider Men's Hoops second-consecutive 100-point game, but also Mulerider Basketball's (Men & Women) third-consecutive 100-point game with the Head Coach Darrick Matthews' home-opening 108-37 victory.
 
While the final of the contest showed a dominating performance, and during the last ten minutes it was, the Patriots did not come into this underdog fight looking to bow out and give SAU the win. Arlington Baptist was down by as much as 13 points in the first half and closed down the gap to a 47-40 ballgame at halftime.
 
The Blue and Gold just added to its already impressive offensive performance in the first half with its second half showing of 58 points scored. The Patriots' offense still produced plenty for the group to stay within the competition, but once the Muleriders found their groove, there was no going back.
 
Statistical Leaders
Southern Arkansas was once again clicking on all cylinders as not one player stood out among the rest besides maybe junior Rashad Bishop who led the team in scoring with 16 points while making 85.7% from the field and all four of his shots from the charity stripe. Bishops contributed on the board as well with five rebounds.
 
Leading in rebounds for the Blue and Gold was Kris Cook. Cook led the statistic with seven rebounds, five of which were on the offensive side of the ball. The senior was also responsible for one of the five double-digit scoring efforts from the unit. Others to break into 10+ point territory included Anthony Igiede with 15 points (three rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block), BJ Davis with 13 points (two rebounds, two assists, 3-5 3FG, and three steals), and Tyler Poindexter with 12 points (two rebounds, 4-5 3FG, two blocks, an assist, and a steal).
 
Team Statistics
As a group, the Muleriders posted a shooting percentage of 48.0% (36-75) and 38.2% from three-point range (13-34). Once again, another dominant night in the paint for Southern Arkansas as the unit accounted for 40 points underneath along with 28 points off of turnovers, 25 second-chance points, 20 fast break points, and 59 points off of the bench.
 
Next week for Coach Rutledge and his Muleriders will be the unit's third DII non-conference contest as Southern Arkansas will return home on Saturday for an afternoon bout with the Hillcats of Rogers State.