Box Score


PHOTO GALLERY

Henderson State won its first post-season game in seven years as the Reddies beat Arkansas-Monticello 65-61 on Thursday in the opening round of the Great American Conference Tournament in Bartlesville, Okla.

The win is Henderson's first post-season victory since beating Barry at the NCAA Regional on March 10, 2007.
Tied at 60-60, Taylor Smith hit a turnaround jump shot with 42 seconds to give the Reddies the lead and eventually propel Henderson into a semi-final match-up on Saturday against Southern Arkansas at Noon.

Smith, who totaled 6 points and 4 assists in the game, was in traffic and momentarily lost possession of the basketball but was able to get possession and drain the 12-foot jumper.

"Coach (Doug Nichols) wanted us to get a quick bucket and make them play from behind," said Smith. "The ball slipped out of my hands, but I was able to regain control and get a good shot."

Following Smith's big bucket, UAM had an opportunity to tie the game when Kenric McCants was sent to the foul line for two shots with 37 seconds remaining. McCants was able to make just one of two free throws.

The Reddies moved the ball quickly down the floor and into the hands of Kevin Kozan who drained a 15-foot jumper with 28 seconds remaining to give the Reddies a 64-61 lead.

Henderson State's defensive pressure played havoc on the Boll Weevils the entire game as the Reddies forced 17 UAM miscues. The last turnover came with five seconds remaining as Brandon Sims threw the ball out of bounds.

Deoirvay Johnson, who ended the game with 15 points, put the game away when he hit one of two free throws with three seconds left on the clock.

"I am really proud of this team and the way they have been playing," said Nichols. "We have lost 10 games by less than three points and we could have packed it in. Instead, they continue to fight through the adversity and I think we are playing the best basketball of the season right now."

Tied at 34-34 at the break, Henderson State fell behind by as many as nine points twice in the second half.

Trailing 51-42 with 12:19 to play in the game, Henderson State went on an 18-7 run to take their first lead of second-half at 60-58 on a Johnson layup.

The run was started when Melvin Haynes hit his second 3-point field goal of the game to quickly get the Reddie offense back on track.

Henderson State continued to pound the ball inside getting the ball to Reggie Murphy who powered his way for 14 points and 7 rebounds in the game.

The Reddies, 13-16 on the season, converted on 26-of-61 shots from the field for 43 percent shooting. UAM, 19-10 on the year, hit on 23-of-45 shots from the floor for 51 percent shooting.

Henderson State limited UAM to just five offensive rebounds and 8 second chance points, while the Reddies totaled 12 offensive boards and scored 16 points on extra opportunities.

"UAM has the best offensive rebounding team in the league and one of the best in the country and we knew we needed to not give them extra chances," said Nichols. "Not allowing them to get many second chance opportunities was the key to today's win."

The Reddies limited First-Team All-GAC forward Brandon Wilson, the league's second-leading scorer at 18.1 points per game, to just 4 points.
Sharif Hudson went 6-for-9 from the field in scoring a game-high 17 points to lead UAM.

The Reddies won both regular-season contests against the Muleriders, including winning the regular-season finale 59-43 in Magnolia.
All GAC Championship games stream live at GACSportsNetwork.com.