MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas (10-10 | 5-9) faced one of the Great American Conference's top teams in Southern Nazarene (15-5 | 12-2) in an absolute slugfest of an outing. The Muleriders dropped the contest 87-92 after fifty minutes of play with not just one, but two overtimes.
 
The first period of the contest was run by the Muleriders as the unit shocked the Crimson Storm by hanging 25 points on the group and allowing just 10 points to SNU.
 
The second period brought some life back to Southern Nazarene as the unit outscored the Blue and Gold 25-18 and entered the intermission down just 43-35.
 
During the third period, both teams battled each other back and forth as the Crimson Storm managed to outscore Southern Arkansas by just one point (19-20), bringing the game to a 62-55 score.
 
Offensively, the Muleriders suffered in the fourth period as the group managed to score just 10 points to the SNU 17, which then led the game to its first overtime.
 
Southern Arkansas began its first overtime hot as Riley Stanford hit a three-pointer to begin the scoring in the extra minutes. Marlee Bright then added to that lead with a pair of free throws for the 77-72 advantage. SNU countered with its own free throws to cut its deficit back down to three but would be shorted by a three-pointer made by Bright to increase the lead to six. SAU would only be able to make one more point with a free by Addy Tremie, but the Crimson Storm was able to tie the game at 81-81 with a 7-1 run for the second overtime.
 
In overtime number two, the Muleriders went down and were not able to recover as the Crimson Storm took an early six-point lead and never let go of it. While Southern Arkansas only added six points to its total, Southern Nazarene was able to add 11 points for the 87-92 victory on the road.
 
Both teams suffered many casualties due to fouls as the Muleriders accounted for 32 of the 59 personal fouls. In total, SAU suffered 33 fouls including a technical on the bench. Of the eight Muleriders that saw the court, seven recorded four or more personal fouls, and three of those had an early exit with five personal fouls.
 
Top Performers:
 
Tequaza Chambers: 25 points (led game), 8-9 free throws (led game), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal
Crystal Ortiz: 18 points, 9 rebounds (led game), and 1 block
Marlee Bright: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists (led game), 1 block, and 1 steal
Addy Tremie: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be on the road for their next four games kicked off with a game against East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma on Thursday, February 6th. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.