MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders Men's Basketball team heads north this Friday, November 14th, and Saturday, November 15th, to Pittsburg, Kansas, as they take part in the 2025 Central Region Challenge hosted by Pittsburg State University.
 
The Muleriders will play in two games this weekend, the first on Friday, November 14th, at 1:00 p.m. as they open play against Winona State University. Their second and final game of the challenge will be on Saturday, November 15th, at 11:00 a.m. as they play Bemidji State.
 
Broadcast Information
This weekend's games will be broadcast on the MIAA Network through Hudl TV. Links to watch all the action this weekend can be found on the Southern Arkansas University Men's Basketball Schedule.
 
SAU Notables
SAU opens its season at the Central Region Fall Challenge for the 3rd year in a row this weekend. The Muleriders come into this weekend hot after taking a trip to Houston, Texas, where they squared off against Houston Christian University in an exhibition match for the first action of the season. The men narrowly fell in the game, losing by a final score of 74-70 in a game that counted towards the Huskies' record but was labeled as an exhibition for the Muleriders.
 
A couple of new faces got off to a hot start for the Muleriders as Greg Moore Jr. was the leading scorer against the Huskies with 20 points, going 6-12 (50%) from the field, 4-8 (50%) from beyond the arc, and 4-4 (100%) from the charity stripe. Greg also added four steals, two rebounds, and one assist in the game. Troy'reon Ramos also had a good game with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Returner Chase Jenkins led the team in rebounds with eight while also having eight points, one steal, and one assist.
 
Series History vs. Winona State
Winona State currently holds a 1-0 all-time series lead over the Muleriders. The Blue and Gold lost the only meeting between the teams back on 11/11/2023 in the Central Region Challenge by a final score of 62-68.
 
Winona Notables
Winona is coming off of an exhibition game win by a final score of 79-49 over Saint Mary's (Minnesota). The Warriors had four players finish scoring in double digits. Adian Bardic was the leading scorer in the game with 16 points. Bardic also had two rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Ryan Heise also scored 15 points along with six rebounds, one assist, and one block. Gavyn Hurley and Jackson Hayes also finished scoring in double figures with 12 and 11, respectively.
 
As a team, the warriors shot 54% from the field, 28% from beyond the arc, and 40% from the free throw line. Most of their points came in the paint as they collected 50 paint points and 25 bench points.
 
Series History vs. Bemidji
Bemidji State currently holds a 1-0 all-time series lead over the Muleriders. The Blue and Gold lost their only meeting with the Beavers on 11/12/2022 by a final score of 82-79.
 
Bemidji State Notables
Bemidji State comes into the tournament with this weekend's action being their first games of the season. Last year, the Beavers finished 10-19 overall and 7-15 in conference play. Bemidji State participated in last year's Central Region Challenge, going 1-1 at the tournament, losing to Central Missouri University and then defeating Arkansas-Monticello.
 
Tate Olson is back this season for Bemidji, as he finished last year as the leading scorer for the Beavers with 341 points. Olson was also the top rebounder with 255 total rebounds. Olson also recorded 80 assists, 19 steals, and nine blocks. The Beavers also return their second leading scorer in John Pecarich, who totaled 333 points scored along with 61 rebounds, 45 assists, and 19 steals.
 
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