Box Score

Henderson State's attempt to beat unbeaten Texas A&M Commerce fell short as LaDon Carnegie hit one of two free throws with 3 seconds remaining to give the Lions a 75-74 victory over the Reddies, Saturday at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Trailing for much of the final seven minutes, Henderson State took a 74-71 lead with 47 seconds remaining following a Reggie Murphy layup.
Texas A&M Commerce, 8-0 on the season, tied the score at 74-74 with 27 seconds left when Devondrick Walker hit his fifth 3-point field goal of the game.

Henderson State had its chances to win in the final seconds, but Deoirvay Johnson could not get either of his shots to fall while Carnegie pulled down a defensive rebound and was fouled on a breakaway.

Carnegie who had 9 points and 7 rebounds made his first free throw, but his second shot was off target and Reggie Murphy grabbed the rebound. Taylor Smith's 30-footer hit off the front of the rim as the buzzer sounded.

The Reddies, 4-4 this season, led by as many as nine points in the first half, but the Lions were able to rally and take a 33-31 lead into the locker room at the break.

Henderson opened the second half with a 3-point field goal by Melvin Haynes to take the lead. Kevin Kozan then busted a tray followed by a layup by Murphy to give the Reddies a 39-33 lead to begin the second-half.

Kozan kept the surge going with a short 10-foot jumper and another 3-pointer as Henderson built a 46-35 advantage with 15:30 left in the game.

Walker helped spark the Lion offense converting on 5-of-5 three-point field goal attempts as TAMUC went on a 10-1 run to cut the deficit to 47-45 at the 12:21 mark.

The Lions pulled away momentarily going in front of the Reddies 68-61 with 4:45 left.

Henderson State didn't quit as a pair of free throws by Smith and a 3-point jumper by Melvin Haynes brought the Reddies within a field goal.

With 2:30 to play, Smith gave the Reddies a 71-70 lead with his lone 3-point field goal of the game.

The Reddies had opportunities to pull away, but Smith could convert on only one of two free throws, and Aaron Harwell missed the front end-of a 1-and-1 that could have put Henderson State up by two possessions with 35 seconds remaining.

Four Reddies scored in double figures with Ronald Lawson leading the way with 14 points and a team-best 8 rebounds.
Johnson ended the game with 13 points, while Smith and Kozan each had 12.

Walker led the Lions with 19 points while De'Andre Carson had 13.

Both teams had an average night from the field as Henderson converted on 28-of-63 from the floor for 44 percent, while Texas A&M Commerce was 27-of-65 for 42 percent.

Henderson State will next play host to Arkansas-Monticello in Great American Conference action on Thursday, December 5, with the opening tip set for 7:30 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.