Henderson State returns to Great American Conference play as the Reddies travel to Ada, Okla. to face defending GAC Champion East Central on Thursday with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
             
The Reddies, 6-4 on the year and 1-3 in the GAC, have won their last three games outscoring their opponents by an average of 43.7 points per game while scoring over 100 points in each game.           
 
Henderson is averaging 84.6 points per game, third in the GAC.

Kaylon Tappin leads the GAC in scoring averaging 19.6 points per game including a GAC-best 23.3 points in conference games. The senior from Little Rock has averaged 24.6 points in the last five contests.
           
Josh Jones follows averaging 14.8 points per game including scoring in double-figures in all four GAC contests. The junior from Memphis, Tenn. is shooting 45 percent from the 3-point arc including 8-of-19 in GAC games.
 
Chris Parker is averaging 12.2 points per game including scoring an average of 19 points in the last three games. The product of Plano, Texas ranks second in scoring among freshman in the GAC while averaging 4.0 assists per contest which is eighth overall in the league.
           
Brad Nairn also averages double-figures scoring 10.4 points. The senior from Nassau, Bahamas is pulling down 5.6 rebounds per outing.   

East Central is 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the GAC including conference wins over Arkansas Tech, Harding and Southern Arkansas.
 
ECU averages 82.5 points per game while allowing 74.8 points per contest.  The Tigers have one of the better shooting teams in the GAC hitting on 48 percent from the field while averaging a GAC best 18.1 assists per game.           

Six players are averaging double figures including all five starters. 

Cameron Talley is leading the way scoring 14.1 points per contest. The sophomore from Rockwall, Texas has scored in double-figures in the last six games including a season-best 25 points against Dallas Christian. Talley scored 19 points including going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in last year's game against the Reddies in Arkadelphia.        

Da'Rion King averages a double-double with 12.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. The junior from Racine, Wisc. has posted three double-doubles this season.  

Brett Cannon is scoring 11.0 points per game while dishing out a team-best 47 assists. The senior from Del City, Okla. recorded a triple-double against Southwestern Adventist scoring 13 points along with 12 rebounds and 13 assists. Last season against the Reddies, Cannon averaged 11.0 points in the three games including a 23-point performance at the GAC Tournament.
           
Another player to watch is Jackson State Community College transfer Marcus Lytle who averages 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Senior Jeremiah Fleming comes off the bench and averages 10.9 points and 3.4 boards.         

Gabe McKenzie has started all eight games and also averages double-figures scoring 10.5 points per game.

Henderson and East Central meet for the 26th time in a series which dates back to 1957. The Tigers lead the series with a 13-12 advantage after winning all three games last year including a 96-73 in the GAC Tournament. ECU has won the last seven meetings with Henderson's last win coming on Jan. 30, 2014 with the Reddies recording a 75-56 victory at home.
 
Thursday's double-header will be carried on 106.9 FM KYXK Arkadelphia/Gurdon with Cyrus Wittig handling the play-by-play and David Salley providing the color commentary.
 
The Domino's pregame show will air 5:15 p.m. with the women's game set for 5:30 p.m.

Live stats, audio and video streaming will also be available via the HSU Athletics website at www.hsusports.com.    

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