Henderson State's second half surge fell short as the Reddies lost their season opener to the University of Mary 79-70, Friday at the NSIC/GAC Challenge in Dallas, Texas.

Trailing by as many as 16 points in the second-half, the Reddies would hit their stride midway through the half as Henderson would go on a 22-7 run to cut the deficit to 67-66 with 3:34 left to play.

Kevin Kozan would score 10 of his team-leading 16 points, while Zydrunas Jugurtis and Tavian Pomlee would hit a pair of key 3-point field goals.

The Reddies, however, would make just one field goal the remainder of the game as the U of Mary would sink eight straight free throws down the stretch.

Henderson fell behind early as the Reddies would shoot just 37 percent from the field in the opening half, while UM converted on 15-of-27 shots for 56 percent shooting as the Marauders built a 38-28 halftime advantage.

In addition to Kozan's 16 points, three more Reddies scored in double-figures with Tavian Pomlee scoring 15 points with 5 rebounds, while Ben Marello and Eric Dailey scored 10 each.  

Five Reddie freshmen would combine to play 84 minutes while accounting for 34 points and 11 of Henderson's 26 rebounds.

Henderson finished the game hitting 25-of-62 shots from the field for 40 percent. U of Mary was successful on 28-of-49 attempts for 57 percent.

Henderson State will next take on Minot State on Saturday with tipoff set for 3 p.m.