ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Mulerider Women's Basketball (10-12 | 6-10 GAC) concluded their Monday night outing in Clark County, as the Blue and Gold took on the Henderson State Reddies (12-8 | 8-8 GAC). Southern Arkansas fell on the road to the Reddies in heartbreaking fashion by a 66-64 final score.
Leading the Muleriders for her third game out of the last four, Kennedy Moss recorded a team-high 15 points in her 31 minutes of action. The local of Trophy Club, Texas shot 5-of-11 from the field, 1-for-3 from three, and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Before fouling out in the third period, Blythe Crawley led the Muleriders in scoring with 14 points and was 6-for-10 from the field while also being 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Accounting for the most boards in the game was Glenwood, Arkansas native Marlee Bright, as the senior recorded eight rebounds in the affair.
Southern Arkansas opened the game with solid execution on both ends of the floor, trading early baskets with Henderson State. Moss and Crawley helped set the pace offensively, while the Muleriders stayed efficient from the field. SAU held a 19–17 edge at the end of the opening quarter after limiting second-chance opportunities and keeping the Reddies within reach.
The Muleriders built on that momentum in the second quarter, finding consistency on offense and tightening up defensively. The Blue and Gold looked to have full control of the affair, as the unit led by as much as 13 points with 2:50 left in the period. For the remainder of the quarter, Southern Arkansas was outscored 5-8, but still managed to maintain a double-digit lead going into the break, up 41-31 at intermission.
Henderson State made adjustments coming out of halftime, applying pressure and cutting into the deficit. Southern Arkansas scored 13 points in the quarter but was outpaced as the Reddies chipped away at the lead. The margin narrowed heading into the final 10 minutes, setting up a competitive fourth quarter with the Muleriders still leading with a 54-47 score.
Southern Arkansas started off scoring in the fourth, with a pair of free throws from Johnna Brockman before fouling, increasing the lead back to nine going up 56-47. From then on, Henderson State clawed it's way back to a one-point outing at 60-59, before Shiloh Fletcher increased the lead back to two with a free throw. The two-point lead lasted shortly though, as HSU shot a three to take the lead from the Muleriders. While the two would go back-and-forth with baskets tying the matchup at 64-64 with 2;20 to go, with four seconds left, as Mulerider foul would lead to the Reddies to shoot two free throws and take a two-point lead. With the four seconds left in the contest, SAU attempted a last second shot, but came up short.
Up Next:
Southern Arkansas continues action this week, as the Muleriders will host Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday (5:30 PM) for Student-Appreciation Night and the 11th-ranked Harding Lady Bisons on Saturday (3:00 PM) for Date Night in W.T.
