ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – In the closest game of the three matchups this season between the two teams, Henderson State came away with a 80-78 victory over Southern Arkansas inside the Duke Wells Center.
Both teams finished with 40 rebounds and SAU just slightly won the turnover battle 21-20, but the difference was in the field goal percentage. The Reddies posted a season-high 50.8% shooting percentage (31-61) compared to the Muleriders' 39.1% (27-69).
Southern Arkansas started off hot, connecting on four-straight triples to open a 12-6 lead four-and-a-half minutes into the contest. Despite the hot start, HSU was able to keep the first quarter deficit at single digits, 20-11, to stay within striking distance.
The Muleriders kept threatening to pull away, but the Reddies made three of their four 3-pointers for the game in the quarter to remain close.
Sonni Martin knocked down two of those threes as she saw all seven of her points come in the second period. Henderson State's ability to bend but not break yielded a four point deficit at the half, 39-35.
The Reddies put together a quick four points coming out of the locker room, tying the game at 41 briefly before two free throws by SAU's Ariana Guinn gave the lead back to the Muleriders. Henderson took its first lead of the game at the 2:06 mark in the third quarter on an and-1 from
Maci Mains, as she pushed HSU ahead 56-54.
Four points from Diamond Morris, plus a layup from Guinn inside of the final two minutes of the period, allowed SAU to regain the lead heading into the final period, 60-58.
Kisi Young of SAU went on her own 5-0 run to open the quarter, giving the Muleriders their biggest lead since 16 seconds before intermission. The Reddies continued to fight, however, and got a layup from
Gracie Raby and six-straight points from
Tamia Templeton to cut the deficit to just one point with 4:26 to go.
After three quick points from freshman
Jadah Pickens, HSU hit its first 3-pointer since midway through the second quarter, and not a moment too soon.
Ashley Farrar, who was kept sidelined for much of the game due to foul trouble, connected on a corner three off a Mains assist, to give HSU a 74-73 lead at the 2:13 mark. Layups by Mains and Templeton kept the Muleriders at bay before a lay-in from SAU's Kylie Warren with eight seconds remaining knotted the game up at 78-78.
The Reddies were able to get what they wanted on their last possession as Mains found herself deep inside the paint and drew a foul with 0.2 seconds left. Mains calmly delivered on both the free throws to win it for HSU and set off a wild bench celebration.
Templeton turned in her best game as a Reddie with 20 points on a very efficient 9-of-15 shooting. Mains finished with 19 points and seven big assists.
Henderson State will head across the street on Monday for the first women's basketball edition of the Battle of the Ravine. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
