MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Head Coach Adam Collins' Muleriders wrapped up senior day inside the W.T. Watson Center as they faced Arkansas Tech (14-12 | 11-11 GAC) for their final game of the regular season. The Muleriders required the victory against the Golden Suns, but were cut short by the group from Russellville as Southern Arkansas fell 52-61. With the loss SAU's season has come to an end with a final record of 13-15 and a Great American Conference record of 8-14.
 
Diamond Morris in her final game as a Mulerider led her team in scoring as she recorded 14 points after having shot 6-12 from the field with two coming from downtown (2-4 from three). The outgoing senior accounted for four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. The native of Sheridan, Arkansas native finishes her career as a Mulerider starting 97 of the 125 games she has played; averaged 11.8 points per game; accounted for 1,469 points, made 38.5% from the field; 465 rebounds; 246 assists; 229 steals. Morris concludes her time at Southern Arkansas after having played for 3,064 minutes.
 
Southern Arkansas shot for 35.8% from the field as well as 35.3% from beyond the arc and 66.7% at the charity stripe. The Muleriders accounted for 22 points in the paint with 23 points off of turnovers, 14 points off of fast breaks, and 17 bench points.
 
Arkansas Tech set their tone for the outing early on with a three-pointer fifteen seconds in to the action. The Suns were able to extend their lead to 7-0 before the Muleriders could answer back with a Morris jumper for two. Southern Arkansas managed to keep the first period within three points for the last five minutes of the quarter prior to allowing a made layup by ATU to finish the first 15-10 in favor of the Golden Suns.
 
SAU came back in the second with some brief aggressiveness as both Morris and Jessica Clemons each made a shot in the paint to bring the contest within one. Arkansas Tech did not let the Muleriders go unchecked though as they knocked down back-to-back threes to increase the advantage to 20-14. Southern Arkansas went on a 6-2 run to close out the half and be down just 20-22 during the intermission.
 
The Golden Suns came out of the break fired up as they went on a quick 9-1 sequence to expand their advantage to a ten-point ballgame. The Muleriders were determined to keep the competition tight though as they cut the deficit to one again (33-32). SAU was not able to get on top though as ATU managed to keep the game in their favor with an 8-5 series. Heading into the final period of play, the Suns led 41-37.
 
The fourth quarter ended being the Golden Suns best yet as they kept Southern Arkansas' scoring efforts at bay and continued extending their lead to as much as twelve points. Following the twelve-point deficit, the Muleriders were able to keep the contest within single-digits, but could not get over the hump created by Arkansas Tech.
 
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