PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (1-1 GAC) defeated the Bemidji State University Beavers (1-1 NSIC) by a final score of 85-83 in SAU's last game of the Central Region Challenge in Pittsburg, Kansas.
 
The win comes thanks to four players finishing their day scoring double digits including JaKourion Key (19), Greg Moore Jr. (15), Albert Wilson III (15), and Troy'reon Ramos (13).
 
The Mulerider offense began hot again as Jair Horton drained a three to open the game. The Beavers then scored their first two points of the contest off of free throws but the Muleriders quickly got on the board again as JaKourion Key scored his first points of the game with a made layup. The Muleriders then opened up a six point lead with 12:31 to go in the first half as Key made another layup and put the Blue and Gold up 20-14.
 
The rest of the first half was back and forth as Bemidji battled back and took their first lead of the game with 2:49 remaining before the half. The Beavers opened up their lead to five points with 1:31 remaining, but the Muleriders battled back and Troy'reon Ramos drained a three to tie the game 49-49 at the intermission.
 
The Beavers came out of halftime hot, taking the lead, but the Muleriders again battled back to exchanging the lead several times before the Blue and Gold found some separation extending their lead back out to six points. With 8:57 remaining in the game, SAU led 75-69.
 
SAU then took their biggest lead of the second half with 3:12 remaining as Albert Wilson III converted both of his free throws to put the Muleriders up by eight points, 83-75 with 3:12 to go. The Beavers battled back at the end but fell short as SAU was able to convert their free throws and hold on defense to close it out and take home a victory.
 
The win at the Central Region Challenge is the first win in an opening season challenge since the Muleriders beat the University of Mary in 2018 at the GAC/NSIC Challenge.
 
Top Performers
JaKourion Key: 19 points, seven rebounds
Greg Moore Jr.: 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal
Albert Wilson III: 15 points, eight rebounds, one steal
Troy'reon Ramos: 13 points, three rebounds, four assists
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action on November 22nd against Rogers State as they travel to Claremore, Oklahoma for a 3:00 PM tipoff.