Box Score Box Score

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – In their second Great American Conference game of the season, the Henderson State men's basketball team got a strong test from visiting East Central University on Saturday afternoon in the Duke Wells Center. Despite the test from East Central, the Reddies were able to pull away late and remain unbeaten by securing a 75-64 win.
 
The Reddies (6-0, 2-0 GAC) took the game's first lead on a made jumper by Melvin Haynes at the 19:32 mark. They were able to maintain that lead until the middle of the first half when the Tigers (2-5, 0-2 GAC) momentarily grabbed a two-point lead, 16-14, with 8:51 remaining in the half. Following the go-ahead score by ECU, the Reddies ripped off a quick 6-0 run to go back in front by four points, 20-16.
 
ECU would weather that run by the Reddies and were able to keep the game close as the half dwindled away. With 1:29 remaining the half, the lead would change hands four times as the teams traded buckets. The final lead change of the first half went in favor of the Reddies as Andrew Ensley completed the back-half of an alley-oop dunk that was started by Jonathan Fitzgerald on an inbounds play. The Ensley dunk, which came with 11 seconds left in the first half, gave the Reddies a one-point lead, 30-29, heading in to the locker room.
 
Similar to the first half, the Reddies recorded the first bucket of the second half and maintained a lead until the middle of the half when the Tigers momentarily grabbed a lead. This time, however, once the Reddies recaptured the lead, they would not relent on it the rest of the way out.  ECU was twice able to cut the Reddies' lead to one-point, but each time the Reddies would go on a small run to re-establish their control in the game.
 
In the final 24 seconds of the game, the Reddies were a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe as they extend their lead to its largest of the game, 11 points.
 
Four Reddies would end the game with double-figures in scoring. Ensley led all scorers with 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor. The senior also pulled down six rebounds and came away with four steals. Haynes was second on the team in scoring with 15 points. The junior guard was 3-of-8 from beyond the arch and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Fitzgerald and Cory Henshall each ended with 10 points. Henshall was a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor and led the team with seven rebounds, all coming off the bench. Fitzgerald tied Ensley in steals with four, but he also led the team in assists with six.
 
The Reddies will now take the road for a significant stretch as their next five games will take place away from the Duke Wells Center. The first of these road games will take place on Thursday, December 6th as the Reddies will take on the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30 pm.