MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (7-12, 4-9 GAC) are set for their long-anticipated return inside the W.T. Watson Center after not playing at home since January 17th. The Blue and Gold will welcome in the East Central University Tigers (9-10, 4-9 GAC) and the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storm (5-14, 4-9 GAC).
 
Series vs ECU
SAU vs ECU || 2/5 (7:30 p.m.)
38th meeting, ECU leads 19-18
First meeting: 11/21/1968 – ECU wins 75-73
Last meeting: 1/10/2026 – SAU wins 78-74
 
Series History vs SE
SAU vs SE || 2/7 (3:00 p.m.)
64th meeting, SAU leads 32-31
First meeting: 11/21/1966 – SAU wins 69-43
Last meeting: 1/8/2026 – SE wins 96-87
 
Broadcast Information
This weekend's contests will be broadcast on the Southern Arkansas University Hudl Fan Page with Dan Gregory calling all the action.
 
SAU Notables
>>> After a long layoff, the Muleriders make their return to the W.T. Watson Center on Thursday night as they get set to host East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma State. Due to icy conditions in the region that continued through most of last week, SAU's contests against OKBU and SNU were moved to a Friday Saturday game. The Muleriders lost both contests first to the 15th ranked Bison of Oklahoma Baptist and then to the RV Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene.
 
>>> Greg Moore Jr. currently ranks fourth in the league in three-point field goals per game averaging 2.2. Jair Horton currently ranks 7th in the league in rebounding with 5.9 rebounds per game.
 
>>> The team currently ranks fourth in the conference in free throw percentage with a mark of 74.8%.
 
>>> Due to the weather and the game against Henderson State being moved to Monday, February 9th, the Muleriders are set to play five games in 10 days starting with East Central on Thursday night.
 
ECU Notables
>>> The Tigers come into the matchup with a 9-10 overall record and are 4-9 in GAC play. ECU is coming off of a loss to Ouachita by a final score of 55-67 but a win over Henderson has provided some momentum as they now trail the Reddies by one game in the conference standings.
 
>>> The Tigers come into the game averaging 74.8 points per game while shooting 47.8% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc, and 73.1% from the charity stripe. ECU also averages 30.4 rebounds per game and 15.9 assists per game.
 
>>> Rustin Coffey leads the scoring for the offense with 237 total points on the year averaging 12.5 per game. Brandon Mann follows closely behind with 217 total points averaging 11.4 per game. Coffey also leads the rebounding effort for the Tigers with 77 total rebounds and averages 4.1 per game.
 
SE Notables
>>> The Savage Storm come into the week with a 5-14 overall record and are currently 4-9 in conference before playing UAM. The Savage Storm is coming off of a win against Henderson State by a final score of 54-53 in Durant.
>>> The Savage Storm is averaging 70.6 points per game while shooting 42.9% from the field, 33.4% from beyond the arc, and 75.6% from the charity stripe. Southeastern is also averaging 32.1 rebounds per game with an average of 12.5 assists per game.
 
>>> Chandler Dickinson is the team's leading scorer with 260 total points while averaging 13.7 points per game. Ethan Wilkerson follows closely behind with 230 total points while averaging 12.1 points per game. Wilkerson also leads the team in rebounds with 106 on the year and averages 5.6 per game.
 
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