Playing in their first conference tournament since the 2006-07 season, the Henderson State Men's Basketball team entered the inaugural Great American Conference Men's Basketball Tournament as the No. 2 seed but fell to the No. 7 seed Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the opening round by a score of 81-60 on Thursday afternoon in the Bruin Fieldhouse.

Turnovers plagued the Reddies (16-11) in the first half as they committed 12 turnovers which led to 15 points on the other end of the court for the Bulldogs (16-11). Converting on 38 percent (6-of-16) from long range and 44 percent (12-of-27) overall SWOSU staked themselves to a lead as large as 17 points in the first half. A 9-0 run by the Reddies to close out the first half brought them to within six points at the break, 35-29.

Southwestern would stave off the Reddie comeback in the second half behind efficient shooting from the floor to the tune of 55 percent (12-of-22). The Bulldogs would add 19 free throws on 22 attempts in the half. Henderson improved their shooting in the second half, but ended the game shooting just 36 percent (24-of-67).

Nine different Reddies scored in the game with All-GAC Honorable Mention selection Andrew Ensley leading the team with 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Ensley recorded his fourth straight double-double of the season (seventh overall) as he pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. A trio of Reddies were behind Ensley in scoring as Jonathan Fitzgerald, Deoirvay Johnson, and Lester Johnson each added seven points.

The Reddies end their season after surpassing early season expectations that saw them picked to finish eighth out of nine teams in the first season under head coach Doug Nichols. Nichols guided the team to 11 conference wins, which were more than Henderson had amassed in the previous four seasons. In that time the Reddies were 6-50 in conference play.