ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (9-13, 6-10 GAC) defeated the Henderson State University Reddies (9-13, 6-10 GAC) tonight in Arkadelphia as they got their revenge behind two 20+ point performances from Troy'reon Ramos and Jair Horton.
 
The Muleriders came out firing early as the Muleriders made their first two shots of the game as SAU took an early 5-0 lead just two minutes into the game. The offense was firing on all cylinders as they opened up a six-point lead with 14:01 remaining in the first half as Troy'reon Ramos converted the and one opportunity. The Reddies tried to battle back but the Muleriders opened up a 12-point lead, 27-15 with 7:11 before intermission. The Reddies then went on a run of their own, shrinking the SAU lead to just one point, 30-29 with 2:51 before the half. Just when HSU began to gain some momentum, the Muleriders came out firing yet again as the offense Troy'reon Ramos and Jair Horton combined for three three pointers to end the first half to take a 10-point lead into halftime, 39-29.
 
The two teams continued to battle at the start of the second half but with every HSU score the Muleriders answered and again pulled away to open up a 16-point lead with 15:56 remaining thanks to a JaKourion Key three. The Reddie offense struggled to pull back into the game as for the next five minutes, SAU did not let their lead fall below a 12-point advantage. With 10:15 to go, SAU led 63-46. Despite the large gap, the Reddies tried to battle back pulling within seven points with 2:59 to go, but the Blue and Gold were too tough on offense converting free throws down the stretch and continuing to make clutch shots as they held on to exact their revenge over HSU.
 
Troy'reon Ramos and Jair Horton were hot tonight as the duo combined for 48-points. Troy finished the game going 9-15 from the field, 4-6 from beyond the arc and 3-5 from the free throw line. Ramos also added three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Ramos 25 points was a season high. Horton finished the game totaling 23-points going 9-10 from the field, 4-5 from beyond the arc and 1-1 from the free throw line. The big man added one assist and one rebound. Horton's 23-points was a career-high.
 
As a team, the Muleriders were lights out from beyond the arc shooting 64.7% from three-point range while also shooting 58.7% from the field and outrebounding HSU 29-26. SAU's percentages from the field and beyond the arc were both season highs.
 
"First off, shout out to the SAU football team for being in Arkadelphia. I don't think there's another football team in the nation that has gone to a road basketball game. Huge road win for the guys," said Head Coach Mark Rutledge. "Big time performances on both ends of the court. The guys showed grit and toughness. Kept it simple offensively and they played together. It really was a team effort, but we had huge performances from Jair and Troy. When we had scoring droughts, our defense really stepped up. Proud of this group."
 
Top Performers
Troy'reon Ramos: 25 points (season high), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Jair Horton: 23 points (career high), 1 rebound, 1 assist
Junior Williams: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
Greg Moore Jr.: 7 points, 7 assists (career high)
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will return to action this week on Thursday, February 12th against UAM. Thursday's game will also be Student appreciation night inside the W.T. Watson Center. Tip off for the men's game is set for 7:30 p.m