MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Women's Basketball is set and ready to be back in action, as Head Coach Darrick Matthews gears up for his second season at the helm with the Muleriders' eighth-straight trip to the Central Region Challenge. This season's challenge will take place in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and will be hosted by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The event is scheduled to begin on November 14 and carry through the end of the day on November 15.
 
Southern Arkansas will compete in two games against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association this weekend. On Friday (Nov. 14) at 7:30 PM, the Blue and Gold will face Newman University for the third consecutive year in the Challenge. The following day (Sat., Nov. 15) at 2:00 PM, the Muleriders will take on this year's Challenge host, the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions. This will mark the second year in a row that Southern Arkansas takes on the in-state foe during the Challenge.
 
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 at www.MuleriderAthletics.com/coverage.
 
SAU Notables
Following their exhibition at Ole Miss, the Muleriders continue on the road to begin the year with a trip to Fort Smith, Arkansas, this weekend. After the group's trip to north Arkansas, SAU will continue its road journey with a non-con matchup at Delta State on Nov. 18. Right before their home opener, the Muleriders will travel to Lubbock, Texas, for the Fairfield Inn Classic, hosted by Lubbock Christian. In the classic, the Blue and Gold will compete against Texas-Permian Basin and Lubbock Christian. The squad will finally make their first appearance at home to take on Christian Brothers University on November 25 before starting conference play the week after.
 
While many new faces will take some getting used to for the 25-26 Muleriders, Coach Matthews returns exemplary experience in seniors Marlee Bright and Elena Lijo-Rodriguez. The two bring back an incredible dynamic for Southern Arkansas' defense with Bright returning as the GAC's leader in steals (91) and Lijo-Rodriguez coming back as the program's leader for most blocks in a single season (54 | 3rd GAC). Bright also returns as the offense's conductor after recording the most assists by any player in the conference last season (142).
 
Series History vs. Newman
The Muleriders currently lead the all-time series against the Jets, as Southern Arkansas leads the series 3-0, consisting of the last three seasons. In last year's outing, SAU escaped the Jets with a 58-50 win during last season's Central Region Challenge.
 
Newman Notables
Newman is coming off an exhibition game against in-town foe and NCAA DI opponent Wichita State. The Jets dropped the exhibition to the Shockers after falling by a final score of 96-49.

Newman returns its leader for scoring and rebounds in junior forward Jaeden McMillin. A native of College Station, Texas, McMillin returns for her third season with the Jets after leading the 2024-25 team in scoring with 355 points (12.7/gm) and 185 total rebounds (6.6/gm | 36 OREB | 149 DREB). NU also brings back its top blocker in Delainey Wylie. A sophomore from Springfield, Missouri, Wylie enters her second season with the Jets after accounting for 55 blocks last season.
 
Series History vs. UAFS
The all-time series between the Muleriders and the Lions is currently tied. The Natural State foes are knotted up at two wins apiece, with Southern Arkansas winning last season's outing 77-53. Before that, the Blue and Gold had not defeated UAFS since the 2009-10 season (66-64). The two met two seasons after that, both matchups resulting in Mulerider losses (85-63, 94-57). This weekend's matchup will mark the first meeting between the two in Fort Smith.
 
UAFS Notables
Before beginning their season, the Lions traveled an hour down the road for an exhibition with the Arkansas Razorbacks. In Bud Walton Arena, the Hogs defeated the Lions with a final score of 100-42.

Arkansas-Fort Smith looks to build off what remaining experience the group has, as the unit looks to replace its top four scorers from a season ago. The highest returning scorer for the Lions is redshirt junior Telisha Brown. A native of Houston, Texas, Brown was fifth on the team in scoring with her 218 points accounted for and an average of 7.8 points per game. The squad will also be without their top six rebounders from a year ago, as Telisha Brown returns with the most rebounds a season ago, with 68.
 
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