Box Score

Henderson State put together its best defensive effort of the season as the Reddies beat Southern Arkansas 59-43, Saturday in Magnolia, Ark.

The Reddies forced 19 SAU turnovers while limiting the Muleriders to just 29 percent shooting as SAU managed to convert on 15-of-52 shots from the field including 2-of-18 from the 3-point arc.

Southern Arkansas held a 17-16 lead with 5:57 left in the first-half before the Reddies closed out the half on a 14-2 run to take a 30-19 advantage at the break.

SAU was able to trim the deficit to four with 7:30 to play, but Henderson State made 12 straight free throws and outscored the Muleriders 14 to 3 the final four minutes of the game.

Reggie Murphy led the Reddies with 15 points and registered a double-double when he pulled down 11 rebounds.

Taylor Smith had 12 points along with seven boards, while Ronald Lawson and Melvin Haynes totaled 11 points each.

Henderson State finished the game making 18-of-44 shots from the field for 41 percent shooting.

The big edge for the Reddies came from the foul line as Henderson made 20-of-27 free throws for 74 percent, while SAU made just 11-of-25 attempts for a dismal 44 percent.

The Reddies, 12-16 overall and 8-12 in the Great American Conference, will enter next week's Great American Conference Tournament as the sixth-seed.

Henderson State will open the GAC Tournament on Thursday, March 6 against No. 3 seed Arkansas-Monticello in Bartlesville, Okla. with tip-off set for Noon.