MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas (8-6 | 3-5) had needed a conference victory after falling in three consecutive Great American Conference contests. The Muleriders succeeded in their mission as the unit displayed a solid offensive effort in the second half to defeat the Tigers of East Central (4-8 | 2-6) 70-58 for ECU's sixth-straight loss.
 
The first quarter of action looked as if the Blue and Gold were going to run away with the ballgame in a big way after outscoring the Tigers 17-3 through one with a 53.85 shooting percentage (7-13) and making 2-3 from deep.
 
East Central never backed down as the group from Ada, Oklahoma outscored the Muleriders 20-26 in the second period with a shooting percentage of 53.33% (8-15) while Southern Arkansas was shooting 45.45% (5-11). The score going into the intermission was 37-29.
 
The Muleriders reclaimed the momentum out of the break by taking advantage of the Tigers' 28.57 field goal percentage as SAU made 50% from the floor and led the third 17-11 for a 54-40 lead entering the final quarter of play. The Blue and Gold's lead in the third period is highly credited to the senior from Sallisaw, Oklahoma Crystal Ortiz. What seemed like the nail in the coffin was three-straight three-pointers by Ortiz on back-to-back-to-back possessions.
 
The final period ran fairly even as the Tigers led the fourth in scoring 16-18 but did not record the superior field goal percentage as the Muleriders shot 58.33% in the final period and put the game away for win number eight on the season and three in the league.
 
Players of the Game:
Crystal Ortiz: 17 points (team lead), 5-6 3FG (game lead), two rebounds, one assist
Tequaza Chambers: 16 points, 6-6 FT, five assists, four rebounds, three steals (game lead)
Chloe Wilbanks: 12 points, three assists
Addy Tremie: nine points, five rebounds
Elena Lijo-Rodriguez: eight points, four rebounds, three blocks (game lead)
Marlee Bright: seven points, eight rebounds (game lead), six assists (game lead), two steals
 
Next Up:
Southern Arkansas goes on the road to west Oklahoma where the Muleriders will face Southwestern Oklahoma State (Weatherford, Oklahoma) on Thursday for a 5:30 PM tip-off and will follow up with a 1:00 PM tip-off on Saturday at Northwestern Oklahoma State (Alva, Oklahoma).