SEARCY, Ark. — Hailey Estes, Maci Mains, and Ashley Farrar all scored in double-figures for Henderson, but the Reddies' comeback fell just short as HSU fell to Emporia State 62-59 on Saturday afternoon.
Henderson State (1-1) struggled to shoot the ball, especially in the second half, and finished the contest just 19-of-61 from the floor. Estes had a team high 13 points for the Reddies and just missed out on a double-double with nine-rebounds.
Maci Mains notched double-figures in back-to-back outings for the first time her career and had a game high three 3-pointers on the way to 11 points. Freshman Ashley Farrar continued a solid start to her Henderson State career, adding 10 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting.
Henderson State returns home for the home opener on Nov. 15 when they take on Bacone College at 5:30 p.m.
1st Quarter
The Reddies used a balanced offensive attack as they kept the Lady Hornets on the back foot in the first quarter. Points from Blu Jones, Karrington Whaley, and Lani Snowden put the Reddies up 8-4 early. ESU would cut the lead to one, 11-10, but two 3-pointers from Mains kept HSU in front as Henderson held a one-possession lead after 10 minutes of action, 18-15.
2nd Quarter
The beginning of the second quarter was an offensive struggler as the Reddies and Lady Hornets combined for just three field goals through five minutes of play. Fortunately for HSU, Lexis Weber, Pink Jones, and Mains did an excellent job of attacking the basket, and five made free throws extended the Henderson lead to six, 25-19. Back-to-back buckets from ESU cut the Reddies lead to two, 25-23, but Mains' third 3-pointer of the first half jumpstarted a 9-4 Reddies' run that ended the half and gave HSU a 34-27 lead heading to the intermission.
3rd Quarter
For the second straight game, HSU had offensive trouble after the halftime break and did not score for the first three minutes of the third frame. The Reddies would manage just three made field goals in the third quarter and were outscored 21-7 as the Lady Hornets turned a seven-point halftime deficit to a seven-point lead headed into the fourth and final frame.
4th Quarter
Desperate for offense, Henderson State turned to the newcomer and Green Forest native Farrar for points in the fourth quarter. Trailing 50-41, Farrar scored 10 points in less than five minutes, including an old fashioned three point play that pulled HSU within one, 55-54. After a 6-0 spurt from ESU made it 60-54, a three-pointer from Estes halved the lead 60-57 before the Reddies fouled ESU on three straight occasions to send the Lady Hornets to the line. ESU made 1-of-2, and a layup from Weber cut the deficit to two, 61-59. Once more, Henderson sent the Lady Hornets to the line where they missed a free throw and gave the Reddies an opportunity trailing just 62-59. The Reddies were not able to get a shot off however, as HSU came up short, 62-59.
