Sports
Mulerider women saddled in for Clark County clash
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Women’s Hoops is back in action for one final outing before the Christmas break as Southern Arkansas is set for its final venture to Clark County this season to take on the defending Great American Conference Tournament champions, the Henderson State Reddies. The two groups have split their series over the past three seasons, each claiming victory over the other at home for all three campaigns (SAU vs HSU | Magnolia: 3-0 | Arkadelphia: 0-3).
Last season, the Muleriders had begun GAC play against the Reddies in Magnolia after starting the 2023-24 year 5-0. SAU would advance their record to 6-0 after defeating HSU 61-55 in a defensive battle. Following that contest, Southern Arkansas dropped its next four matchups while Henderson State improved each week, with losses only to teams ranked nationally or those that received national recognition. When the Reddies met the Muleriders for the second time last season, Henderson State handled the Blue and Gold with a final score of 60-81.
The two groups are set to begin another season series with the Muleriders looking to break the pattern on the road as SAU enters Arkadelphia on Thursday 7-3 and 2-2 in the GAC after defeating Ouachita Baptist on the road and Arkansas Tech at home. If anything, Southern Arkansas’ contest with ATU seems to be proof of patterns being disrupted as the Muleriders’ triumph against the Golden Suns was the first for the unit since the 2019-2020 season and the first since the 2014-2015 campaign that SAU defeated them at home.
Both the Muleriders and the Reddies have had similar beginnings to the 2024-25 GAC schedule after both teams fell twice while in Oklahoma in a similar fashion. The following week, Henderson State went to Russellville where they defeated Tech much like Southern Arkansas (83-70). The only difference between the programs’ week two of conference play was the loss the Reddies received at home against preseason favorite Harding in a tightly-contested overtime battle (88-94).
In that contest with the Bisons, sophomore guard Natalie Cardenas led the game in scoring with 32 points after she made 9-20 from the field, 4-8 from three-point range, and a very impressive 10-12 at the free throw line. Cardenas also acquired six rebounds and tied for the second-most on the team that game. Three other Reddies also had an impressive game, which were Brynlee Huggins, Sam Basson, and Marlee Raby. Basson and Raby both accounted for 17 points while Huggins was second in scoring for the Reddies with 18 points.
Last week for the Muleriders, the Matthews Era truly began to set in as the first-year head coach for Southern Arkansas claims a second defensive player of the week honor with Elena Lijo-Rodriguez winning the honor for the first time in her career, which marks the first time SAU Women’s Hoops have been rewarded multiple GAC POTW honors for two or more players in the same season.
The Muleriders have been dominating teams on defense with the most points surrendered all season being 70 points against the Golden Suns on Saturday. Nationally, the Southern Arkansas defense ranks 13th, allowing just 52.0 points per game. The group is leading the Great American Conference defensively in scoring, defensive field goal percentage (35.0% | 32nd nationally), and steals per game (11.9 | 33rd nationally). Because of SAU’s defense, the team also leads the league for their scoring margin of 18.4, which is 18th nationally.
Three different Muleriders have accounted for 100+ points on the season. Leading the team in scoring is Addy Tremie with 126 so far (12.6 ppg). The Sulphur, Louisiana native has made 48-117 (41.0%) and is also leading the team in three-point shots made with 25, and is second in the conference for her three-point attempts (67), percentage (37.3%), makes, and made per game (2.5).
Leading the team, the conference, and the Central Region in steals is Marlee Bright as the junior averages 4.00 steals per game and has accounted for 40 on the season. Those numbers rank her average fourth in Division II and her total fifth in Division II. Finally, the native of Amity, Arkansas is also the team’s, the conference’s, and the Central Region’s leader for total assists with 64 assists this season, which ranks third in Division II.
Southern Arkansas will face Henderson State inside the Duke Wells Center on Thursday at 5:30 PM with live links to streaming and live stats available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com/coverage.
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-4, 0-2 SEC) remain winless in conference play after a tough 73-66 loss to No. 23 Ole Miss (13-2, 2-0 SEC) on Wednesday night. Despite a strong start and home-court advantage, Arkansas couldn’t hold off the Rebels, who surged ahead in the second half to secure the win.
The Razorbacks opened with a commanding 10-5 lead, setting the tone for a competitive first half. Arkansas led for most of the period until Ole Miss tied the game at 36-36 on a Sean Pedulla three-pointer with just 31 seconds remaining in the half. That shot marked a pivotal moment, as it was the last time Arkansas held a lead in the game.
Coming out of halftime, Matthew Murrell’s layup gave Ole Miss an early advantage in the second half. Although Arkansas guard Boogie Fland quickly answered with a jump shot to tie the game at 38-38, the Rebels responded with a three-pointer from Davon Barnes, putting them ahead for good.
Ole Miss extended its lead in the final moments, with D.J. Wagner’s layup bringing the score to 72-64 with just 21 seconds remaining. Arkansas managed to close the gap slightly, but the Razorbacks couldn’t convert critical opportunities, leaving them with another SEC loss.
For Arkansas, the loss highlights the challenges of conference play and the need for resilience as they seek their first SEC win under legendary coach John Calipari. The Razorbacks will look to regroup and capitalize on their next opportunity to break into the conference win column.
Who: rv/rv Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3, 0-1 SEC) vs #23/22 Ole Miss Rebels (12-2, 1-0 SEC)
What: Arkansas plays its 2025 SEC home opener.
When: Wednesday – Jan. 8 – 6:00 pm (CT)
Where: Fayetteville, Ark. • Bud Walton Arena/Nolan Richardson Court (19,200)
How (to follow):
– TV/Stream: ESPN2 / Watch ESPN (Tom Hart and Dane Bradshaw)
– Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
– Sirius/XM: Sirius: 132 / XM: 191 || SXM App Channel 961
– Arkansas Gameday App
– Live Stats
– Arkansas Game Notes
– Ole Miss Game Notes
– SEC Notes/Stats
FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will host #23/22 Ole Miss on Wednesday (Jan. 8) for the Razorbacks’ 2025 SEC home opener. Tipoff is set for 6 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Later this week, Arkansas stays in Fayetteville to host #8 Florida on Saturday (Jan. 11). Tipoff is set for 3 pm.
NOTES:
Versus Ole Miss
- This will be the 87th meeting between Arkansas and Ole Miss. Arkansas owns a 52-34 advantage all-time in the series thanks to an 18-11 mark in games played in Fayetteville and a 24-2 advantage in neutral-site games.
- Since Arkansas joined the SEC, the Razorback lead in the series is just 30-28 as the Hogs have won 9 of the last 12 in the series.
- Ole Miss won the last meeting, 77-51, on Jan. 24, 2024, in Oxford. Arkansas was short-handed in the loss as it was without leading scorer – Tramon Mark (migraine) – for the game and leading rebounder – Trevon Brazile (knee soreness) – missed the second half. Arkansas got off to a slow start with eight turnovers in the first nine minutes but only committed two the rest of the first half and ended with 14 for the game. Ole Miss outscored the Hogs 17-2 on points off turnovers and raced out to a 24-9 lead. However, Arkansas answered with a 14-5 run to cut its deficit to six (29-23) with 4:08 left in the first half. Ole Miss led 38-26 at the break and put the game away midway through the second half with an 8-0 run to go up 63-43 and held at least a 20-point cushion the rest of the way.
Arkansas in SEC Home Openers
- Arkansas will play its first SEC home game Wednesday by hosting Ole Miss.
- The Razorbacks are 20-13 all-time in SEC home openers.
- Arkansas is 4-4 when Ole Miss is the first home SEC game.
Razorbacks Are Pretty Good Shooting Overall
- Arkansas ranks 9th in the NCAA (2nd in the SEC) in overall field goal percentage at 50.7% while ranking 19th in the NCAA (3rd SEC) in effective FG% (57.3%).
Less of a Threat
- Arkansas is holding its opponents to 29.6% shooting from 3-point range. As good as that sounds, it ranks only 9th in the SEC but does rank 53rd in the NCAA.
Block Party
- Arkansas has blocked at least five shots nine times this season and ranks 5th nationally in blocked shots, averaging 6.0 per game.
For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In their SEC opener, top-ranked Tennessee leveraged its rebounding prowess and perimeter shooting to defeat #23 Arkansas 76-52 on Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Volunteers out-rebounded the Razorbacks 51-29 and converted 10-of-26 three-point attempts to maintain their top-ranking status. Chaz Lanier led the charge for Tennessee, scoring 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Igor Milicic Jr. contributed a double-double with 13 points and an impressive 18 rebounds.
Despite Arkansas shooting 38% from the field and delivering a strong defensive showing with 10 blocked shots, the Razorbacks struggled on the boards, conceding 24 offensive rebounds to Tennessee. The Volunteers’ ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved critical, as they recorded 18 assists on their 28 made baskets compared to Arkansas’ nine assists on 20 field goals. The game marked Arkansas’ first time losing the second half this season, as Tennessee extended its lead after halftime to secure the win.
In the first half, Arkansas held an early 12-9 lead before Tennessee’s 14-2 run shifted the momentum. The Razorbacks faced scoring droughts and struggled from the free-throw line, going just 3-of-8 compared to Tennessee’s 7-of-8. Tennessee dominated the boards, out-rebounding Arkansas 27-12 in the first half, and entered the break with a 42-27 lead. Chaz Lanier scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the opening period, while D.J. Wagner led Arkansas with eight points, contributing to his season-high 17-point performance.
The second half saw both teams struggle offensively, with Tennessee shooting 37.5% and Arkansas 34.5% from the field. However, the Volunteers continued to excel from beyond the arc, making 5-of-12 three-pointers compared to Arkansas’ 2-of-17. Tennessee’s lead never dipped below 13 points, thanks to timely three-pointers and contributions from Lanier, who added 15 points in the second half. Jonas Aidoo also made an impact in the period, recording all five of his rebounds and four points.
The loss drops Arkansas to 10-4 overall and 0-1 in SEC play, while Tennessee improves to 14-0 and 1-0 in the conference. The Razorbacks will look to bounce back as they return to Bud Walton Arena for a two-game homestand starting with Ole Miss on Wednesday, January 8, at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2, offering Arkansas a chance to regroup and refocus after a challenging start to conference play.
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