SAU basketball starts conference season tonight

The SAU Lady Muleriders (0-2) and Muleriders (1-1) will tip off the Great American Conference basketball season tonight in Bethany, Okla.

The Lady Muleriders and Crimson Storm will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game will start at 7:30 p.m.

The Lady Muleriders dropped a pair of games in last weekend's GAC/MIAA Crossover Challenge in Missouri, losing 62-57 to Lincoln and 90-54 to Lindenwood.

The Lady Muleriders are coming off a 6-20 season with a 4-18 record in the GAC.

Third-year head coach Julio Pacheco's team returns only four players from last yea, while welcoming in seven newcomers: four Division I transfers, two players from the junior college ranks and a true freshman. Returnees are sophomore Kimberly Crown, senior Anna Djedjemel, sophomore Erin Brinkley and redshirt freshman Brette Wacha.

Newcomers are Division I transfers in senior Sue Key; juniors Olivia McWilliams and Angela Villarreal; sophomore Tuana Dinc.

The Muleriders split a pair of games after playing in Texas last weekend, beating Minnesota State-Morehead 87-27 and falling 84-70 to Minot State.

The Muleriders are coming off of a 13-16 overall record a year ago and have been picked to finish seventh in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Last season, the Muleriders qualified for their sixth-straight GAC Tournament after an 11-11 mark.

Three players averaging double figures in scoring were CJ Elkins (17.0), De'Sean Dockery (11.4), and Snyder Cenecharles (10.4).

Head coach Andy Sharpe is in his sixth season.

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