After sweeping a pair of games at the 2013 Region Classic in Lawton, Okla., Texas A&M University-Commerce opens up the home portion of its schedule facing Southern Arkansas University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Field House. It is the first of 11 home dates for the Lions during the 2013-14 schedule.
Southern Arkansas opened up the 2013-14 season with a convincing 100-74 victory over Crowley's Ridge College on Saturday as four players scored in double figures. The Muleriders posted a 10-17 record in 2012-13 and were 6-14 in Great American Conference play, finishing 11th and advancing to the first round of the GAC tournament.
Series Information
A&M-Commerce and Southern Arkansas get together for the 35th time Wednesday evening as the Lions hold a 22-12 (.647) record in the all-time series, bringing a 10-game winning streak into Wednesday. A&M-Commerce recorded a season sweep of Southern Arkansas in 2012-13, defeating the Muleriders 74-67 at the Field House on Nov. 26, 2012 before outlasting the Muleriders 96-88 in Magnolia, Ark. on Dec. 19, 2012.
Head coach Sam Walker has had quite a bit of success against Southern Arkansas, posting a 14-2 (.875) record during his career against the Muleriders, including an 8-0 record on the court at the Field House.
Scouting the Muleriders
2013-14: 1-0 overall, 0-0 Great American Conference
Last Week: Defeated Crowley's Ridge College 100-74 in Magnolia, Ark.
Head Coach: Andy Sharpe (Reinhardt, 2002). Second season at Southern Arkansas (11-17, .393)
Key Mulerider Players:
• #32 Jeffrey Walker (So., F): 28.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 86.7 FG%, 50.0 FT%, 1 blk., 2 stl.
• #23 Alre'k Brown (Jr., F): 17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 77.8 FG%, 50.0 FT%, 6 blk., 2 stl.
• #10 Mike Tomlin (Jr., G): 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 85.7 FG%, 100.0 FT%,
• #2 Duke Reed (Sr., F): 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 50.0 FG%, 71.4 FT%, 1 ast., 1 stl.
• #3 Tre'von Wilkerson (So., G): 7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 20.0 FG%, 50.0 3FG%, 100.0 FT%, 7 ast., 2 stl.
Lions on the Web
Fans unable to make it to the Field House for Wednesday's home opener against the Muleriders can still catch every Lion play. 88.9 KETR will carry the game live with Charlie Chitwood on the call, and the game will also be streamed online at KETR.org. Live stats are available at LionAthletics.com while Twitter followers can get in-game updates through the A&M-Commerce Men's Basketball Twitter account @Lion_MBB.
Looking Ahead
Following Wednesday night's home opener against Southern Arkansas, A&M-Commerce heads back on the road this weekend, competing in the 2013 Tarelton Texan Tip-Off Classic in Stephenville. The Lions play two games in two days, starting off with a meeting against Bloomfield (N.J.) at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. A&M-Commerce then faces St. Edward's at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Wisdom Gymnasium.
