Box Score

Henderson State shot 68 percent from the 3-point arc as the Reddies beat Eastern New Mexico State 89-82, Saturday in Lawton, Okla.

The Reddies converted on 13-of-19 long-range jumpers and finished with a shooting percentage of 56 from the field to come-from-behind to beat the Greyhounds.

"I'm very proud of how hard the guys fought for 40 minutes," said Henderson head coach Doug Nichols. "We withstood a pretty big run in the first half and fought back."

Henderson State, 5-5 on the season, squandered a 12-point first-half lead as ENMS outscored the Reddies 28-11 in the final seven minutes to build a 54-49 halftime lead.

The Reddies built their early lead behind four 3-point field goals by Kevin Kozan, but the Greyhounds answered with a 3-point shooting party as well with Rodney Blackmon busting three treys in a five minute span to end the half.

Henderson State took its first lead of the second-half when Melvin Haynes hit a trifecta with 10:54 left in the game to make the score 71-70.

"The guys did a great job executing our defensive adjustments in the second half," Nichols said. "We were more patient offensively and it created some open perimeter shots."

The Reddies would never trail as Melvin Haynes and Taylor Smith would combine for four 3-point field goals down the stretch, while Ronald Lawson and Reggie Murphy dominated the inside game combining for 9 points and 8 rebounds in the final five minutes.

Five Reddies scored in double-figures led by Taylor Smith who had 20 points, while Haynes scored 16.

Murphy had 14 points to go along with a game-high 9 rebounds. Aaron Harwell ended the game with 14 points while Kozan finished with 12 points.

Blackmon ended with 29 points while Cornelius Cammock had 18 for Eastern New Mexico.

"This group never gives up," said Nichols. "Every game we claw back when we get behind. We have some lost some close games against some very good teams but we haven't given up."

Henderson State will next face Texas A&M-Commerce in Commerce, Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 18 with tip-off set for 7 p.m.