MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Mulerider Men concluded play inside the W.T. Watson Center for 2024 after falling to the reigning Great American Conference champions Arkansas Tech 59-64 in a physical bout that had intensity from tip-off to the final shot, as it always does with this in-state rivalry.
 
Southern Arkansas' downfall came in the paint as the Muleriders were outrebounded by 12 (32-44), but did outscore the Wonder Boys 28-26 in the paint. Arkansas Tech's rebound success came on the defensive side as the group recorded 36 defensive rebounds to eight offensive rebounds. The Blue and Gold defense kept the group in the game, but another factor for the final came at the charity stripe as the Wonder Boys made 13-20 at the line while the Muleriders were gifted just 12 opportunities and made eight of their attempts.
 
Leading the unit in scoring was Carel Ray Jr., back off of injury, as the senior accounted for 14 points after shooting 4-9, 2-6 from three, and 4-5 at the charity stripe. The native out of Four Oaks, North Carolina added on four rebounds to his statistical totals.
 
BJ Davis led the group in threes made with three for the evening and the senior logged 13 points with six rebounds, three assistants, and two steals.
 
Southern Arkansas' final player with double-digit scoring was Rashad Bishop. The junior out of Louisville, Kentucky scored ten points against the Wonder Boys and looked to take control of the paint right before leaving the game due to injury.
 
The Blue and Gold look to finish 2024 off right with one more trip to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to take on Henderson State on Thursday at 7:30 PM. The contest inside the Duke Wells Center will be Head Coach Mark Rutledge's first visit to the arena since facing Harding on February 26 in 2022 as a part of the coaching staff with the Reddies.