ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — It was a game of runs in Henderson State's season opener on Thursday night, but Southern Arkansas made the most of a halftime advantage and never trailed after the break, as they held on late to defeat the Reddies 83-77 at the Duke Wells Center.

Jeremiah Toney led Henderson in the first game of the year with a career-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Damian Dear added 15 in his Reddies debut. Quawn Marshall finished with a double-double after chipping in 10 points and a career-best 11 assists.

The Reddies (0-1) got off to a quick start in their first game of the year and used two 3-pointers from Marshall to spark an 11-0 run and take a 28-19 lead at the 7:20 mark of the opening period. SAU responded, however, and put together a big 22-7 stretch to end the first half and secure a 41-35 lead going into the break. The Muleriders shot a scorching 54.2% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.

Southern Arkansas's momentum continued to begin the second period, as the Muleriders opened the half with a 10-3 spurt to take their biggest lead of the game, 51-40, at the 16:27 mark. Needing a spark, Henderson got one from the newcomer Dear, who came up with two big steals and seven quick points to spur an 11-0 run for the Reddies which tied the game at 51-51 with 14:14 to play.

The trading of punches continued following the big HSU run, as the Muleriders responded once again with a 12-2 stretch which pushed them back to a double-digit advantage, 63-53. SAU kept the Reddies at arms length for the next several minutes, but trailing by eight with six minutes to go, Henderson began to claw its way back. A three-point-play from Raekwon Rogers and a 3-pointer from Malik Riddle trimmed to deficit to 69-67 with 4:19 remaining and brought HSU within striking distance in the game's home stretch. 

The Reddies battled to try and overcome the Mulerider lead in the final minutes, and once trimmed the deficit to just a single point, but despite their efforts they could never overtake the SAU advantage, as Southern Arkansas salted the game away at the free throw line late to hold on for the win.

The Muleriders shot 50% from the field in the game while Henderson hit on just 40.3% of its looks. SAU also hit 11 3-pointers to the Reddies' eight and out-rebounded HSU 41-33. Henderson struggled with foul trouble in the loss, as Rogers, Marshall and Dear each were saddled with four fouls for most of the second half.

HSU will look to get back on track Saturday when it faces Arkansas Tech at 4 p.m. in Russellville, Arkansas.