MAGNOLIA, Ark.- The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (8-10, 5-7) defeated the Henderson State University Reddies (11-7, 7-5) by a final score of 66-61 in a revenge game for the Muleriders after falling to the Reddies in Arkadelphia earlier this season.
 
The Reddies would get the scoring started in this one taking a 4-0 lead that was short lived as the Muleriders came storming back to take their first lead of the game, 5-4. HSU would retake the lead but SAU would mount a 9-0 run to take a commanding 14-6 lead after six minutes in the first half.
 
The two teams would exchange blows but SAU would relinquish their lead despite HSU pulling the deficit to just two points. The Muleriders would open up an eight-point lead with 6:47 to go in the first half thanks to a Christian Caldwell layup, 25-17.
 
SAU would take their largest lead of the first half at the 1:05 mark as Christian Caldwell yet again converted a layup to give the Muleriders a 12-point lead, 35-23. The electric first half would come to a close as HSU was able to pull the deficit to 10 but SAU would hold a 35-25 lead at the break.
 
Despite some early life from HSU, the Muleriders were able to pick up right where they left off stretching the lead to 13 with 17:37 to go in the second half.
 
The Muleriders would stretch their lead to as much as 18-points with 14:28 to go, but the Reddies offense would not stay quiet for long as they began to chip away at the SAU lead. The Reddies would mount a huge comeback cutting the Muleriders lead to just two-points with 5:11 to go in the second half.
 
The SAU offense would try to open up a gap taking a six-point lead but it would not last long as HSU would answer yet again taking the lead to just two points with 1:44 to go. Anthony Igiede would put SAU up by four points with 53 seconds to go but HSU would respond again cutting the lead to just two points, 63-61.
 
Nevi Tell was the hero in this one as he sank a late triple to seal the win for the Muleriders as they took a five-point lead with four seconds remaining securing revenge over the Reddies in the rematch.
 
 
Players of the game:
Carel Ray Jr.: 18 points (team lead) and three rebounds
Christian Caldwell: 13 points and five rebounds
Nevi Tell: eight points and game-sealing three-pointer
BJ Davis: eight points and four rebounds
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be back in action Thursday, January 30th at the W.T. Watson Center in Magnolia, Arkansas as they look to continue their momentum against the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M. CT.