FORT SMITH, Ark. — Mulerider Women's Basketball wrapped up their time in Central Region Challenge, after the group defeated the challenge's host in Arkansas-Fort Smith with a final score of 79-76. Southern Arkansas defeated the group after a back-and-forth matchup the entire 40 minutes of play.
Leading the Blue and Gold was true freshman Blythe Crawley. The native of Oklahoma City accounted for a 27-point outing the day after recording a 15-point night against Newman the day before. The freshman scored her points with a 47.6% from the field (10-21), 53.8% from beyond the arch (7-13).
Also having an impressive showing was senior Elena Lijo-Rodriguez after the Spanish native recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Elena recorded an impressive 75% from the field after shooting 6-8.
Just one day after accounting for 28 points, Hope Bump had herself another double-digit outing with 11 points while also recording seven rebounds and four assists.
Leading the team in rebounds was senior Marlee Bright with eight rebounds. The native of Glenwood, Arkansas tallied eight assists to lead the game in both statistics.
Arkansas-Fort Smith looked as if they had control of the game after going up nine (24-15) in the first quarter. While the Muleriders tried to shorten the deficit, the Lions kept their lead at nine by the end of the first period (30-21).
Blythe Crawley began the momentum shift for Southern Arkansas, as the freshman opened up the second quarter with a three-pointer (30-24). The Lions stretched its advantage back to eight with a pair of free throws, but the Muleriders followed it up with a made layup from Crawley, made layup from Lijo-Rodriguez, and a three-pointer from Kadia Ward (KD) to bring the game back within one point (36-35). UAFS went back up six, but was followed by a tipin layup by Elena to go into the intermission down 41-37.
The Lions gained their eight-point lead back early on in the third period, but would slowly see that advantage begin to dissipate until the unit jumped back up double-digit with an 11-point lead halfway through the quarter (57-46). Following that, SAU accounted for two made free throws by Bright and three three-pointers by Crawley to bring the outing to a three-point deficit (60-57). The group extended back to a five-point lead until Shiloh accounted for a good jumper and free throw to only go down 62-60 into the final period of action.
After a made free throw by the Lions to begin the quarter, Johnna Brockman nailed a three ball to tie the battle up at 63-63. Freshman Kennedy Moss then overtook the Lions with a layup (65-63) for the Muleriders' first lead since the Blue and Gold's 2-0 advantage at the beginning of the game. From then on, the Muleriders gained control of the match, never surrendering the lead and clinching the victory with a pair of Fletcher free throws for the 79-76 final.
Up Next:
The Muleriders will stay on the road early on in the campaign, as the group will head to Cleveland, Mississippi to face Delta State on November 18 for a 12:00 PM tip.
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