Southern Arkansas is hoping for better results this afternoon after suffering GAC road losses at Arkansas Tech Thursday night in Russellville.
The Muleriders (3-1) and Lady Muleriders (1-2) are in Searcy today to face the Harding Bisons and Lady Bisons. Tip-off for the women’s game is set for 1 p.m., followed by the men’s battle at 4 p.m.
Andy Sharpe’s Muleriders missed on their first eight shots against the Wonder Boys and went 2-of-10 from the floor through the first four minutes. They played with a double-digit deficit for much of the night. Arkansas Tech knocked down nine 3-pointers, including six in the first half to claim a 66-59 win.
The Muleriders never led and trailed by as many as 22 points. SAU shot only 27 percent (9-of-33) in the first half, while Tech connected on nearly 54 percent of its field goal attempts.
In scoring, Jalen Brooks led all players in scoring with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while brother Devante Brooks added 17 points and 12 rebounds. Kris Wyche had 11 points.
The Muleriders won both matchups against Harding last season and own three-consecutive victories over the Bisons.
In the women’s game, the Lady Muleriders (1-2) fell 115-94 in a high-scoring affair.
Both teams shot over 40 percent from the floor as they combined for 209 points, the second-highest scoring game in conference history, and only the fourth game to exceed over 200 points. The only game with more points was in 2015 when Southwestern Oklahoma State defeated Henderson State 116-108.
Kenzie Ezekiel led the Lady Muleriders in scoring with 17 points, which included 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Other scorers include Ariana Guinn (14), Kylie Warren (11) and Jerica Bell (10).