ALVA, Okla. — The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (8-8, 3-7) dropped their contest to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers (8-8, 5-5) by a final score of 59-75.

The Rangers came out hot in the opening quarter and never let up on offense for the first half as the group had scored 47 points by the end of the first half, which is the most points scored by an opponent of the Muleriders in the first half this season. After one half the Rangers accounted for a shooting percentage of 57.57% (19-33) (60% first period | 55.56% second period). 

Coming out of the intermission, SAU had figured out a plan of attack to attempt a comeback, but the effort was all for not as NWOSU's first half of play proved to be too much for the Muleriders to pull of the comeback even after outscoring the group in both the third and fourth periods. 

Southern Arkansas' downfall came strictly from the first half as the group managed just a shooting percentage of 27.27% (9-33) and were shooting 6.66% (1-15) from beyond the arc. 

Offensively in the second half, the Blue and Gold was a completely different team as the group shot for 42.85% (12-28) and were shooting 47.36% (9-19) from beyond the arc.

Team Leaders:

Chloe Wilbanks: 15 points (led team, 4-6 3FGM (led team), 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 rebound

Addy Tremie: 12 points

Marlee Bright: 9 points, 6 steals (led game), assists (led team), and 2 rebounds

Crystal Ortiz: 9 points, 8 rebounds (led game), 4 steals, and 3 assists

Next Up: 

The Muleriders are back home and are there to stay for the remainder of January. Southern Arkansas will face in-state rival Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday for a 5:30 PM tip-off. The Saturday following, the Muleriders will take on Henderson State for a 1:00 PM start.