Four players scored in double figures for the Henderson State Women's Basketball team on Thursday night in the Duke Wells Center as they opened up play in the inaugural season of the Great American Conference with an 82-69 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
The Lady Bulldogs (5-5, 0-1 GAC) started off the game with the lead, 4-0, after making their first two shots from the floor. The Lady Reddies would respond quickly from the early hole and went on an 8-0 run over a minute and a half to capture the lead, 8-4. The Lady Bulldogs would regain the lead, 16-15, on a three-pointer from MaRiah Oyler with 10:23 left in the first half. The lead would not last long as HSU's Cheree Freeman would knock down a jumper on the ensuing possession to put the Lady Reddies back on top for the remainder of the half. The Lady Reddies would hold a lead as large as 10 points before entering the locker room with a nine-point advantage.
In that opening period, the Lady Reddies would shot 46 percent (17-of-37) from the floor. In that time, Freeman led the team with 10 points on 5-of-10 (50 percent) shooting. The senior also pulled down five rebounds in the first half. (three defensive, two offensive).
The Lady Reddies would hold their lead into the second half until SWOSU knotted the game at 55-all with 9:30 remaining in the game. Just minutes prior to tying the game, the Lady Bulldogs went on a 12-2 run to erase an 11-point deficit. Similar to the last SWOSU threat, the Lady Reddies answered back on the following possession. This time it was Destiny Smith to knock down a jumper to break the tie ball game and give the Lady Reddies a lead they would not relinquish. Down the stretch, the Lady Reddies would make good on 16 of their final 18 free throws including going 11-of-12 in the final 1:13 of the game.
The win for the Lady Reddies (8-3, 1-0 GAC) breaks a mini two-game skid after having raced out to a 7-1 record to start the season.
All nine players to play in the game scored at least two points and recorded a rebound. Freeman would finish the game with a game-high 21 points, a team-high nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Smith and Krystal Beachum each had 13 points, and Sheay Longstaff ended with 12 points. Longstaff and Freeman were perfect from the line going a combined10-of-10 in the game. As a team, the Lady Reddies out-rebounded the Lady Bulldogs 45-36 and forced 19 turnovers coming away with 13 steals in the process.
The Lady Reddies look to continue their winning ways as they play host East Central Oklahoma on Saturday, January 7th. The game is set to tip-off at 2:00 p.m.
