Henderson State begins the 2015-16 men's basketball campaign this weekend as the Reddies participate in the NSIC/GAC Challenge in Lancaster, Texas.
 
The Reddies will open the tournament on Friday against the University of Mary with tipoff set for 7 p.m. On Saturday, Henderson will take on Minot State at 3 p.m.
 
Jimmy Elgas will make his college debut as Henderson's head coach. Elgas was hired in April after spending the last eight seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville.
           
The Reddies return two starters from last year's squad that finished with an 11-15 overall record and an 8-12 mark in Great American Conference play.       

Kevin Kozan averaged 12.8 points per game a year ago while hitting a team best 69-of-174 three-point field goals for 39.7 percent.     
 
The junior from New Lenox, Ill. scored a game-high 27 points and was 6-of-13 from the 3-point arc in Monday's exhibition game at Arkansas State.    

Jordan and Jacob Vance are back for their junior years with both averaging 1.3 points per game last year.          

The Reddies have several newcomers including sophomore Matt Panaggio.
 
Panaggio transfers from Mercer where he spent one season. A two-time All-State selection at Father Lopez Catholic High School in Port Orange, Fla., the sophomore recorded a double-double against Arkansas State having 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Red Wolves.
 
Senior Tavian Pomlee sat out last year after transferring from the University of South Dakota. The 6-5 forward from Davenport, Iowa participated in 24 of 30 games and averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds.

Another player to watch for the Reddies is Ben Marello. The freshman guard averaged 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per game at Father Lopez High School in Port Orange, Fla.
 
A honorable mention All-Area selection and first-team all-conference pick, Morello totaled 54 blocks, shot 51percent from field and was a 77 percent shooter from the foul line. He also played AAU basketball for the Central Florida Titans where he averaged 18.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while shooting 68 percent from the field.   
 
The University of Mary returns 12 players from last year's team that finished with a 9-18 record.    
 
Marquealis Edwards is UM's top player and was named the Northern Sun Player to Watch for the Marauders.
 
A native of Minneapolis, Minn., Edwards transferred to U-Mary for the 2013-14 season after playing two years at Southwestern (Iowa) Community College.
 
Edwards led the Marauders in most major categories. He paced the Marauders in scoring (12.0 PPG), rebounding (5.6 RPG), assists (4.3 APG), steals (35) and free throws made (76) and attempted (99). He shot .453 from the field, .337 behind the arc and .769 at the line.
 
Saturday's opponent Minot State finished 14-15 last year and are picked to finish fifth in the North Division of the Northern Sun Conference.
 
Minot State's player to watch is Dominique McDonald who appeared in all 29 games for the Beavers, making 28 starts.
 
The senior guard from Raleigh N.C. averaged 9.8 points per game last year, while ranking fourth in the NSIC in assists (4.7 per game) and eighth in turnover ratio (1.7). As a junior he led the team with 77 three pointers made. 
 
Live statistics for the entire tournament will be available on the HSU Athletics web site at www.hsusports.com.
 
LIVE STATS vs. Mary (Click here)
LIVE STATS vs. Minot State (Click here)