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ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – After a five-game non-conference slate to open the 2022-23 season, Henderson State will meet Southern Arkansas inside the Duke Wells Center as part of both teams' Great American Conference opener Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
 
***Thursday night is the Angel Tree Toy Drive game for the Reddies! Fans are encouraged to bring a toy donation to receive free entry to both the women's game at 5:30 p.m. and the men's game at 7:30 p.m. Cash donations will also be taken at the game and will be used to purchase toys for the Angel Tree Project in Arkadelphia.***
 
REDDIES REPORT
Henderson enters conference play after a five-game non-conference stand that featured two NCAA Tournament teams from last season. The Reddies picked up a win against one of those former NCAA Tournament teams in Washburn to open the season, 79-73, while their other win came against Williams Baptist to make up their current 2-3 record.
 
Most recently, HSU fell short to 2022 NCAA Tournament-qualifier Dallas Baptist, 66-63. Henderson shot 56.0 percent in the first half to head into the break tied at 36-36 before that percentage dropped to 33.3 percent in the second half. The Patriots did just enough the rest of the way to edge out the Reddies in the second 20-minute stint, 30-27.
 
Through five games, HSU has gone where their shooting performance has taken them. In contests where the Reddies have shot better than 43.0 percent from the floor, they are 2-1. When shooting below 37.0 percent, they are 0-2. Henderson is currently 10th in the GAC with a team field-goal percentage of 42.0 percent.  
 
Franck Kamgain recorded his fourth double-digit outing of the season Saturday against Dallas Baptist. The Kansas City, Missouri native leads the team with 13.6 points per game and is shooting 48.9 percent from the field. Alvin Miles is leading the entire league with 5.0 assists per game to go with his 7.4 scoring and 2.0 rebounding average.
 
Thursday will be the 188th all-time meeting between Henderson St. and Southern Arkansas and the fourth time in the last five years both teams have played each other for their conference opener. The Reddies have won two straight over the Muleriders and lead the overall series, 109-78.   
 
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
Southern Arkansas rides into Arkadelphia on a three-game winning streak with wins over Arlington Baptist, Ecclesia College and Delta State. Prior to that, the Muleriders opened the 2022-23 season with losses to Minnesota-Duluth and Bemidji State as part of the American Family Insurance Classic held in Duluth, Minnesota.
 
Southern Arkansas is third in the GAC with 80.8 points per game through five contests. During its current winning streak, SAU is averaging 83.7 points compared to 76.5 in its two losses. Henderson is averaging 85.5 points in its wins and 59.7 points in its losses.
 
The Muleriders boast three guys who are scoring in double digits. Senior guard Blake Rogers is leading the team with 13.0 points per game, while LaTreavin Black (10.8) and Carel Ray Jr. (10.6) make up the scoring trio. Black and Ray Jr. also share the team-high with 7.2 rebounds per game, which is tied for ninth in the league.