MBB GAME NOTES: VERSUS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS - DECEMBER 19, 2024

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – HSU Men's Basketball return to the Duke Wells on Thursday at 7:30 against Southern Arkansas for their final game before break.
 
Following the Reddies first loss of conference play against Harding on Saturday the Reddies return to action against Southern Arkansas (4-6, 1-3 GAC).
 
Against Harding the Reddies scored 70 or more points for the eighth time this season. Against Harding Matthew Mayes and Tim McDonald each hauled in nine rebounds with six offensive rebounds combined between the two. Freshman Jameel Wesley II was a spark off the bench scoring 11 points in just 19 minutes on 5-9 shooting. Wesley II was vital in the back and forth late between the two teams.
 
Since being inserted into the starting lineup versus Kansas Christian star freshman Rondae Hill is averaging 11.8 ppg while shooting 37.1 percent from three on the season.
 
The Reddies currently rank top 20 in fastbreak points and 21^st in the country in field goal percentage at 50.08 percent.
 
At home this season the Reddies are averaging 95 ppg and have shot 35 percent or better from behind the arc in three of the team's five home games.
 
In their last outing the Muleriders fell to Arkansas Tech 64-59 on their home court. The leading scorer for the Muleriders was Carel Ray Jr. who scored 14 points on 4-9 shooting. The Muleriders had 12 steals in the loss.
 
The Muleriders lone GAC victory came on the road versus Ouachita Baptist. The two teams went to overtime following two free throws from Ouachita Baptist to tie the game. In overtime a last second three pointer by Kris Cook won the game for the Muleriders 95-94.
 
Southern Arkansas's leading scorer BJ Davis is averaging 14.5 ppg on nearly 40 percent shooting from deep. Davis is averaging 28.2 minutes per game, a team high. Davis scored 28 points in a 95-94 win over Ouachita Baptist on the road last Thursday. Davis connected on five of his eight three-point attempts and played 40 minutes in the game.
 
The Muleriders rank 208^th in Division II in rebound margin, being outrebounded by 1.7 rebounds per game. Christian Caldwell is the team's leading rebounder with 6.7 rebounds per game.
 
Head coach Mark Rutledge is in his first season as head coach after two seasons at Angelo State. Rutledge was on the Reddies staff for four seasons and helped claim the Reddies first and only Great American Conference Tournament championship title in the 2019-20 season.
 
Players to Watch:
 
Jameel Wesley found his groove off the bench scoring 11 points on 5-9 shooting to go along with three rebounds
 
Matthew Mayes is the team's leading scorer at 13.1 ppg and second on the team in rebounds at 6 rpg. Mayes is averaging 3.0 stocks per game (steals+blocks) and is top 10 in the country in steals with 2.9 steals per game.
 
The Reddies tip off versus the Muleriders tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke Wells Center.