MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (12-13, 9-10) defeated the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers (12-13, 9-10) by a final score of 79-65.
 
The Muleriders got the scoring started with a bang as Christian Caldwell slammed it home to put the Muleriders on top early. SAU would then quickly stretch their lead as Caldwell converted the layup, taking a 4-0 lead with 18:36 remaining in the first half. The Blue and Gold's offense found their rhythm early catching fire going on a 12-1 run over the first three-plus minutes to jump out to a 12-1 lead with 16:42 remaining in the first half.
 
The Rangers struggled offensively early, finding the occasional points but SAU continued to convert their shots jumping out to a 26-15 lead with 11:03 remaining in the first half. The offensive onslaught continued for the Muleriders as Anthony Igiede decided to join in on the home with a dunk of his own to open a 16-point, 37-21 lead with 3:44 remaining in the first half. The Rangers' offense showed some late life and found their range from the three-point line converting on three in a row from behind the arc to pull within five of the lead. At the half, SAU still led 39-34.
 
The Rangers opened up the second half the same way they closed the first as Cameron McDowell hit a three-pointer, closing the SAU lead to just two points, 39-37. Despite appearing to stall out the Muleriders retained the lead until the 16:23 mark in the second half. NWOSU took their first lead of the game with 16:23 to go in the second half as Cameron McDowell converted a layup to take a 43-42 lead.
 
The Muleriders did not let the lead go for long as BJ Davis converted a jumper to retake the lead and from there the Blue and Gold did not look back. The Rangers continued to hang around in the contest pulling within as much as one point on a few occasions but the relentless defense and potent offense for the Muleriders proved to be too much. SAU began to pull away for the remaining 10 minutes of the game, opening as much as a 15-point lead with 2:25 remaining and eventually closing out the win moving themselves even closer to a GAC tournament berth.
 
The SAU offense was potent tonight as four players finished with double-digit performances. Christian Caldwell (16), Anthony Igiede (15), Carel Ray Jr. (15), and BJ Davis (12) all recorded double-digit nights. The Muleriders also outrebounded the Rangers 39-36 and had five blocks compared to the Rangers two while also shooting 100% (12-for-12) from the free-throw line as a team.
 
Top Performers:
Christian Caldwell: 16 points and eight rebounds
Anthony Igiede: 15 points, six rebounds, two blocks
Carel Ray Jr.: 15 points, six rebounds, one block
BJ Davis: 12 points, five rebounds, six assists
 
Next Up:
The men will remain at home for their next contest as they prepare for a rematch with Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.