Ahead by 20 points with 4:27 left in the game, the Henderson State Women's Basketball team weathered an 18-0 run by Southern Arkansas to hold to a 70-68 win at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center in Magnolia, Ark. on Thursday night.

The Lady Reddies (13-12, 6-9 GAC) led nearly wire-to-wire in the game. Holding a 17-point lead at the break, Henderson State extended their margin to as large as 22 points, early in the second half. The Lady Reddies maintained a double-digit lead up until the final two minutes of the game.

A made layup by HSU's Sheay Longstaff with 4:27 remaining in the game, put the Lady Reddies up by 20 points, 70-50. That bucket by Longstaff would prove to be the final points the Lady Reddies would tally as their offense stalled to the end of the game to the tune of five turnovers, four missed field goals, and two missed free throw shots.

Despite the extended scoring drought, the Lady Reddies still shot 47 percent (14-of-30) from the floor in the second half and were 45 percent (28-of-62) for the game. Helping the shooting average were the 50 points the Lady Reddies picked up in the paint. They were also able to make the most of the Lady Riders' mistakes as they totaled 31 points off of turnovers.

HSU got a rounded scoring effort as all nine players to play in the game scored. Eight of those nine had at least four points. Leading the team in scoring was senior guard Cheree Freeman with 18 points. Behind Freeman was fellow senior Crystal Harrison with 15 points. Junior forward Destiny Smith led the team in rebounding with eight. She also had eight points. Longstaff paced the offense with a team-high five assists.

The Lady Reddies will now return home for their final game of the regular season as they play host to Harding University at the Duke Wells Center on Saturday, February 25th. Tip-off for the game is set for 2:00 p.m. The game will also serve as Senior Day and the Lady Reddies will honor the careers of Cheree Freeman, Crystal Harrison, and Joycelyn Taylor.