Henderson State's second-half rally fell short as the Reddies lost to East Central 68-64, Thursday at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia, Ark.

It was a game of streaks for the Reddies as they would rally several times before falling victim late to some cold shooting as Henderson managed to make one of 11 shots from the field in the final four minutes.

Henderson State would get out of the gate quickly with a 3-point field goal by Tavian Pomlee, a pair of free throws by Matt Panaggio and a layup by Eric Dailey to go on top 7-2.

With Henderson leading 15-14 midway through the half, East Central would go on a 13-1 run over the next four minutes to take a 27-16 lead with 6:10 remaining in the half.

The Reddies would fight back with the assistance of another long range jumper by Pomlee and three buckets by Eric Dailey to trim the deficit to 31-26 with 1:58 to play in the half.

Stirling Thomas would add a pair of free throws to his first-half total of 19 points to give ECU a 33-26 lead at the break.

Kevin Kozan, who managed just 2 points in the opening half, began to heat up in the second 20 minutes as the junior from New Lenox, Ill. busted four 3-point field goals to spark the Reddies.

Henderson trailed by as many as nine points on several occasions in the half, but the Reddies would make 8-of-9 field goals including four trifectas during a four minute stretch to take a 57-55 lead at the 8:56 mark.

The Reddies would then hit a four minute scoring drought as Henderson would miss its next six shots. ECU would take advantage making 6-of-7 field goals to take a 65-59 lead with 3:56 left to play.

 Again Henderson fought back as Pomlee hit a pair of free throws, followed by another bucket by Dailey and one of two free throws by Alione Mboup to make the score 65-64 with 1:50 remaining.

However, the Reddies would not score again as Deron Hill made a free throw and Ishmael Donzo would get a layup with 11 seconds left for the final bucket.

Kozan led the Reddies with 20 points with Dailey finishing with 16. Pomlee also scored in double-figures with 12 points.

Stirling Thomas led ECU with 33 points and Braxton Reeves added 12.

Henderson finished the game hitting on 25-of-56 field goals for 45 percent shooting, while ECU connected on 25-of-49 attempts for 51 percent.

Henderson State returns home to take on Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday with tipoff set for 3 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.