WICHITA, Kan. - The Southern Arkansas University Women's Basketball team delivered an impressive performance in the Central Region Tip-Off Challenge, defeating Arkansas-Fort Smith 77-53 in Wichita, Kansas. From the opening tip, the Muleriders showed their strength, dominating both ends of the court en route to a convincing 24-point victory.

Southern Arkansas jumped out to an early lead of 16-6 with a balanced offensive attack, showcasing strong shooting and unselfish ball movement. The Muleriders' efficient scoring helped them build a significant lead by halftime, leading 40-30. The defense was came out stronger in the second half, as SAU pressured Arkansas-Fort Smith into difficult shots and forced turnovers, preventing the Lions from finding a rhythm on beat enough to gain the advantage.

In the second half, Arkansas-Fort Smith attempted to mount a comeback, but Southern Arkansas continued to execute with precision, extending their lead behind a high-scoring effort from Tequaza Chambers' 21-point night. The Muleriders' depth was on full display, as multiple players contributed offensively, and the team maintained strong defensive pressure to keep the Lions at bay. Southern Arkansas' three-pointing outpaces UAFS with the Muleriders making seven of their 11 shots from the beyond the arch and recording an overall shooting percentage of 55.2%, 26.9 better than Fort Smith.

The Muleriders were led by standout performances from their star players, with four individuals scoring in double figures. SAU's rebounding and unselfishness with the ball were also crucial factors in the win, as junior Marlee Bright nearly recorded her first double-double of her career with nine assists and 11 points.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, Southern Arkansas had secured a dominant 77-53 victory, and first-year Head Coach Darrick Matthews accounted for his first triumph with the Blue and Gold. The win marked an exciting start to the season, as the Muleriders demonstrated both offensive firepower and defensive tenacity.

The Muleriders will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup tomorrow at 6:00 PM against the site host Newman Jets as they continue to build on their strong start to the season.