Henderson State went up against No. 14 Arkansas Tech on Thursday as the Golden Suns beat the Reddies 82-54, at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark.

Despite playing with just seven players due to injuries, Henderson State put forth a valiant effort against a veteran Golden Sun team.

Henderson, 11-13 overall and 10-9 in the Great American Conference, challenged ATU but the Golden Suns' depth was too much as the squad shot 51 percent from the field and forced 18 Reddie turnovers.

Arkansas Tech, 20-3 and 18-1, built a 24-19 lead by the end of the first quarter as the Golden Suns hit six of seven field goals to end the period.

The Reddies played most of the second quarter without its two seniors Dulinica Keener and Victoria Stewart as the two were sidelined with foul trouble having two each.

ATU began the second quarter on a 10-0 run to increase its lead to 34-19, but the Reddies would fight back matching the Golden Suns point-for-point the remainder of the half with the help of pair of Haleigh Henson 3-point field goals.

The Golden Suns would hit six 3-pointers in the half and take a 43-28 lead into the locker room at the break.

Arkansas Tech would get on another hot stretch making 9-of-10 buckets in the third quarter to increase the lead to 64-43 by the end of three quarters of play.

Henderson attempted to chip into the lead, but the Reddies could never establish a run.

Keener led the Reddies with 19 points, while Moe Bedford scored 14 and Stewart added 11.

Fatima Adams led Arkansas Tech with 28 points.

The Reddies finished the game shooting 39 percent from the field making 22 of 56 field goals.

Henderson State returns home for its final three games beginning Saturday against Harding. tip off is set for 1 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.