ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State looks to rebound from its first defeat of the season on Wednesday afternoon when the Reddies take on the Rogers State Hillcats at 2 p.m. in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Henderson State (2-1) fell 79-69 to Missouri Southern State last Friday in a contest where the Reddies were hampered by rebounding woes. HSU lost the battle on the glass 42-31 which led to 19 second-chance points for the Lions. The Reddies got 20 points from Pink Jones and a season-high 14 points from Brittany Branum, but HSU was unable to complete a fourth-quarter comeback. The Reddies also struggled from downtown, going just 3-of-15 from 3-point range during the contest.

This marks the fourth-straight season in which the Reddies have taken on the Hillcats and each matchup has been decided by a single possession the previous three years. In last year's meeting, Henderson trailed by nine heading into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Hillcats 22-10 and won 55-52.

Scouting Rogers State
After struggling to a 10-17 overall record and a 5-9 record in conference play, Rogers State is looking to its new head coach to help jumpstart the Hillcat program. This August, RSU announced that coach Kyle Bent would take over the women's basketball program after Bent spent four seasons as the head coach of Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. Bent helped Martin Methodist to four-straight NAIA National Tournament appearances and posted a 95-38 overall record, leaving the program as the most accomplished coach in history. Bent is expected to lean on senior Lauren Schuldt and junior Darian Jackson as he begins his career in Claremore. Both Schuldt and Jackson were named All-Heartland Conference Honorable Mention last season. Schuldt ranked top six in the Heartland in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocks, while Jackson averaged 12 points and 7.1 rebounds per game during her sophomore season. So far, the Hillcats have compiled a 2-2 record, most recently besting Ecclesia College 85-28. RSU has gotten a big early-season contribution from Desiree Nelson, who is 11-of-25 from 3-point range so far this season.

HSU Statistical Leaders
Points – Pink Jones – 21.0 PPG
Rebounds – Karrington Whaley – 7.0 RPG
Assists – Pink Jones – 5.3 APG
Blocks – Karrington Whaley – 1.7 BPG
Steals – Pink Jones, Blu Jones – 1.7 SPG

Rogers State Statistical Leaders
Points – Lauren Schuldt – 11.3 PPG
Rebounds – Lauren Schuldt – 6.8 PPG
Assists – Azaria Floyd – 2.5 APG
Blocks – Lauren Schuldt – 1.8 BPG
Steals – Lilly Garner – 2.0 SPG