MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Southern Arkansas Muleriders host the Crusaders from Dallas Christian College on Saturday (Nov. 30) in an early-season clash. The Muleriders look to continue showcasing their strong defense and use the home-court energy inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center off of the Thanksgiving break.
 
Southern Arkansas has started the 2024-25 season 4-1 overall and is now looking to bounce back after last week's narrow loss against Delta State 41-42. Before that the Muleriders claimed four straight victories against Arlington Baptist, Christian Brothers, Newman, and Arkansas-Fort Smith.
 
The game between the Muleriders and the Crusaders will be the first time the two teams battle each other and tip-off is set for 1:00 PM. Southern Arkansas has proven to show a strong and fast-paced offense with Tequaza Chambers leading the squad in scoring with 12.6 points per game, shooting an impressive 66.7% from three-point range, and has recorded a perfect 100% on her free-throw shooting. Marlee Bright is following closely after with an average of 11.8 points per game, shooting 66.7% from the field and 50% on her three-point shooting.
 
The Muleriders have been a defensive force through five games as the team has tallied an impressive 72 steals (14.4 spg | 1st GAC  | 18th nation) and 19 blocks (3.8 bpg | 3rd GAC). Crystal Ortiz leads the way with her dominance on the boards, averaging 7.0 rebounds per game, while Elena Lijo-Rodriguez has been a key contributor with 5.0 rebounds per game. The team's aggressive defense is further demonstrated by Chambers and Bright, who have combined for a staggering 44 steals, with Chambers alone accounting for 16 and Bright for 28 (1st GAC | 1st Central Region | 3rd nation). Lijo-Rodriguez leads the group with 11 blocks (2nd GAC | 8th Central Region | 30th nation).
 
The Amity, Arkansas native, Bright, is coming off a week where she has claimed the Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Week after having accounted for 11 points, nine steals, five assists, and two rebounds. The junior's effort marked the fourth game this season in which Bright scored 10+ points and nearly had her first career double-double. Bright's honor is also the first time that the Mulerider Women's Basketball team bears witness to a GAC Player of the Week honor in over two seasons, with the most recent being Kisi Young in the 2021-22 campaign earning co-POTW on December 13, 2021.
 
Dallas Christian College (3-5 overall)
The Crusaders are 3-5 overall this season and dropped their latest game against Dallas College Mountain View 51-56. Leading the charge is Myah Coleman, averaging 11.3 points per game and dominating the boards with 9.8 rebounds per game. Kera Martinez has also been a key contributor, averaging 10.6 points and adding a consistent defensive presence with 28 steals.
 
The team has relied on balanced efforts from players like DeMia Jackson, Chloe Buckner, and Alysha Garcia, who contribute in scoring and rebounding while keeping the intensity on defense.
 
The tip-off is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday (Nov. 30) inside of the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.