MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Henderson State got 25 points from Lani Snowden and out-scored Southern Arkansas 27-9 in the third quarter to defeat the Muleriders 79-72 on Thursday evening at the W.T. Watson Center.

Southern Arkansas's high-intensity, trapping defense was a double edged sword for the Reddies (15-6, 10-5) in the first half. Henderson shot nearly 50% from the floor thanks to easy baskets when breaking the pressure, but also turned the ball over 17 times and found itself locked in a 39-39 tie at the break.

The first five minutes of the third quarter did little to separate the two teams, but with a 45-44 lead and 5:47 left in the period, the Reddies put together the run that would define the game. Henderson used terrific defense, along with 10 points from Snowden, five from Hailey Estes and four from Pink Jones, to close the quarter on a huge 21-4 run. The dominant stretch helped HSU seize its largest lead of the night, 66-48, with 10 minutes to go. 

Henderson maintained its 18-point advantage for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, but trailing 75-57, Southern Arkansas put together a last-gasp run of its own. SAU forced seven turnovers in just over three minutes to power a 13-1 stretch and trim the deficit to 76-70 with 1:07 remaining. The dramatic rally ran out of time, however, as the Reddies got a bucket and free throw from Maci Mains in the last 67 seconds, and limited the Lady Muleriders to just one more basket, to hold on for the 79-72 win.

Snowden played one of the best games of her career for Henderson and finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the floor. The junior from Van Buren, Arkansas hit five 3-pointers in the game. Jones added 16 points for the Reddies, while Estes chipped in nine points, 13 rebounds and five steals. 

The Lady Muleriders were 3-of-17 (17.6%) from the floor in the third quarter where the Reddies out-scored them by 18 points. Henderson out-rebounded SAU 51-38 and shot 47.8% from the field in the victory.

The Reddies return to the court on Saturday when they host Arkansas-Monticello at 1 p.m. in the Duke Wells Center.