BETHANY, Okla. — Mark Rutledge and his Muleriders made the trip to Oklahoma County for the first-year head coach's first bit competition against a Great American Conference opponent with the head job. The Blue and Gold ended up dropping its conference opener as Southern Nazarene's offense proved to be too much for the Muleriders as SAU fell 67-81 against the Crimson Storm.

The beginning of the contest looked to be an offensive shootout having each team countering with their own score. The Muleriders jumped to an early 8-3 lead, but SNU ended up catching some heat as the group tacked on an 13-4 run and advanced its advantage to a 12-21 lead. From then on, Southern Nazarene held the Mulerider offense at bay as the Blue and Gold unit would not be able to cut the deficit any further than nine points. SNU gained a lead to as much as 21 towards the end of the game. SAU ended the contest on a 7-0 stretch to cut the deficit to 14. 

The Crimson Storm was red hot from the field as the group shot 50% for the night (30-60) compared to the SAU's 36.8% (25-68). Both teams were solid beyond the arc as the Muleriders shot 7-30 and SNU made 9-25. 

This game was the first division II game for Southern Arkansas in which the unit out-rebounded its opponent this season (40-39).  

Leading Southern Arkansas in scoring was senior guard BJ Davis. The Nashville, Tennessee tied his second-most points scored in a game since joining the NCAA with 22 points after shooting 6-16 from the field, 5-12 from three-point range, and 5-5 from the charity stripe. 

Second in scoring for SAU was Kris Cook. The Sunshine State senior contributed 14 points after he shot 6-13 from the field, 2-6 from beyond the arc, and 0-1 at the free-throw line. Cook's 14 is his second-most points since joining the Muleriders. 

Senior forward Christian Caldwell made 5-for-6 from the field while also making 2-6 from the charity stripe to produce 12 points for the Nacogdoches, Louisiana native. The Pelican State descendant also recorded five rebounds. 

Leading in rebounds for the Muleriders was Nevi Tell. The Magnolia, Arkansas native accounted for 8 rebounds, splitting offensive and defensive, and also produced two assists and one steal. 

Coach Rutledge's Muleriders continue their stay in the OKC area as they are set to take on Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday at 3 PM inside the Noble Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma.