ADA, Okla. – The Henderson State University men's basketball team secured their win over East Central University, 75-67, by outscoring the Tigers, 43-28, in the second half on Saturday evening in the Kerr Activities Center.

Five different Reddies (4-2, 1-1 GAC) scored in double figures, led by senior Melvin Haynes (Akron, Ohio) who racked up 15 points. Reggie Murphy (Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.) scored 14, Ronald Lawson (Jr., East St. Louis, Ill.) and Taylor Smith (Jr., Kensett, Ark.) added 12 apiece and Kevin Kozan (Fr., New Lenox, Ill.) hit three 3's and ended up with 11.

HSU shot 44 percent (25-for-57) in the game, while ECU was held to 33 percent (21-for-63) from the floor.

Aaron Harwell (Sr., Houston, Texas) was the only player in the game with double-digit rebounds as he grabbed 10.

Henderson State started off the game on a 6-0 run as Lawson and Murphy combined to lay in three baskets in the opening minute. East Central clawed their way back and evened it up at 6-6 at the 17:16 mark.

The Reddies regained back their lead as Haynes drilled a three and added a free throw and HSU kept the lead until ECU scored two off a Henderson State turnover with 12:33 left on the clock.

For the third time in the half, the game was tied but not for long. East Central outscored the Reddies, 16-6, with two minutes left in the half. Henderson State was able to cut the Tigers to five at one point, but a layup by ECU with five seconds left on the clock, made it seven-point difference as HSU headed into the locker room.

Henderson State was able to outrebound East Central, 25-20 in the first half. With seven offensive boards, the Reddies were able to capitalize on nine second chance points in the first 20 minutes of play. Seven costly turnovers by HSU was the cause of 11 points for the Tigers.

The second half was all Henderson State. Outscoring ECU by 15 points in the final 20 minutes of play, the Reddies used 14 bench points and 16 points in the paint to secure its first conference win.

Henderson State came out of the locker room and started the second half scoring nine to ECU's one and pulled within one. The Tigers quickly pushed their lead back to six, but a layup by Murphy at the 12:26 mark evened the game 49-49.

Kozan nailed one from behind the arc as the Reddies saw their first lead since the 8:20 point in the first half. Henderson State ran with the momentum, extending its lead to five at three different occasions in the final minutes.

Only able to hit one field goal in the last seven minutes, ECU was unable to mount a comeback over HSU.

Henderson State will play its first home game this season in the Duke Wells Center as they host Delta State, Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.

For the latest HSU news and results, be sure to visit www.HSUSports.com.