JOPLIN, Missouri – After defeating Missouri Southern yesterday, Henderson State split its two games in the GAC/MIAA Conference Challenge, falling to Emporia State today, 84-66. The loss brings Henderson to 1-1 heading into its home opener this week.
 
The Reddies had little answer for the Hornets' Tre'Zure Jobe, who scored a game-high 31 points on the afternoon. Her and Victoria Price (18) were the only players to score in double figures for ESU, but that was all it needed.
 
Lani Snowden led the scoring for Henderson, coming up with 15 points while shooting 50 percent from the field (6-12) as well as from beyond-the-arc (2-4). Ashley Farrar followed up her 20-point performance with 13 points and six rebounds.
 
The Reddies actually held a two-point lead after the first quarter and were tied heading into the locker room, 38-38. Henderson lost the second half, however, 46-28 as Emporia State moved to 2-0 on the season.
 
A lot of the team stats stood comparable, with ESU having five points off turnovers to HSU's six and the Reddies' bench giving the team 16 points to the Hornets' 14. The difference was the efficiency with ESU winning that battle, 41.7 percent (30-72) to 34.2 percent (25-73).
 
Where the discrepancy really made an appearance was the fourth quarter as Emporia St. went 11-21 from the field, including a perfect 4-4 from beyond the perimeter. For the second half as a whole, HSU shot 29.4 percent compared to ESU's 42.5 percent.
 
Henderson St. (1-1) will host Christian Brothers this Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. for its home opener. Over the past two seasons, head coach Jill Thomas' squad is 15-4 when playing at the Duke Wells Center.