ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State won its home opener on Tuesday evening, defeating Wiley College 61-45 at the Duke Wells Center. 

Hailey Estes led the Reddies with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Karrington Whaley poured in 14 points on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting from the field. HSU held Wiley to just 21.3 percent shooting, including 4-for-25 from 3-point range. Madi Nichols added four points, three assists, and three rebounds off the bench. 

Henderson (6-1, 2-0) will play its first conference home game on Dec. 8, when the Reddies host Harding at 1 p.m.

First Quarter
With the score tied 4-4, the Reddies used a 7-0 run, highlighted by two layups from Whaley and a 3-pointer from Estes, to take an 11-4 advantage. Estes hit her second 3-pointer a few minutes later and the Reddies held a 19-9 lead after one.

Second Quarter
The Reddies' defense was dominant in the second frame, holding the Lady Wildcats to just 3-of-15 shooting from the floor. Henderson went on a lengthy 12-4 run in the first seven minutes of the quarter, which featured eight-straight points from Whaley. The Lady Wildcats threw the last jab of the half behind a 5-0 spurt to make the score 32-18 heading into the break.

Third Quarter
HSU got off to a hot start in the second half, as baskets from Pink Jones and Lani Snowden, as well as a 3-pointer from Estes, gave the Reddies a 39-22 lead. Estes had five more points at the end of the period and a layup from Whaley gave the Reddies a 48-26 advantage after three quarters. 

Fourth Quarter
A 3-pointer from Snowden jump-started the Reddies in the fourth quarter and Nichols made several impressive plays down the stretch, including back-to-back mid-range jumpers. Brooke Lewis helped HSU finish in style when she completed a three-point play after being fouled underneath the basket, as the Reddies eased to a 61-45 win.