RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – For only the second time since the Great American Conference's inception in 2011, Henderson State defeated the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns inside Tucker Coliseum, 85-57. The 28-point victory is HSU's largest margin of victory over ATU in GAC history.
 
The Reddies hit 11 three-pointers on the afternoon, tying the most threes in a conference contest for HSU this season. Leading the effort from downtown was Lani Snowden, who went 4-8 from downtown, followed by Ashley Farrar who connected on three of her five attempts from beyond the arc as part of her game-high 21 points.
 
Tamia Templeton and Jadah Pickens filled up their respective stat sheets, with Templeton going for eight points and seven rebounds while Pickens went for seven points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Pickens was one of six HSU players to register a three-pointer in HSU's final road game of the season.    
 
Henderson spoiled Tech's Senior Night early on by hitting seven treys in the opening half to claim a 46-25 lead going into the break. Arkansas Tech's Jayana Sanders hit two free-throws to open the Friday contest, but that was the only lead the Golden Suns would enjoy the entire game as the Reddies proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to move ahead, 7-2.
 
After both teams traded baskets, HSU closed the quarter on a 16-4 run, during which Henderson hit three treys courtesy of Farrar, Snowden and Abbie Jiles. The Reddies as a team shot 52.9% from the field in the opening period to warrant the 25-8 lead.
 
The first four points of the second quarter came from the home team before Farrar and Sonni Martin hit back-to-back triples to reestablish the 17-point lead, 31-14. Both squads alternated points over the next five minutes before HSU closed the half with seven straight points from Jadah Pickens, making up Pickens' first-half total.
 
Henderson connected on all facets throughout the first 20 minutes, shooting 48.6% (17-35) from the field, 46.7% (7-15) from long range and 83.3% (5-6) from the free-throw line to head to the locker room ahead 46-25.
 
A 7-2 run to open the second half to bring the score to 48-32 led the fans inside Tucker Coliseum to believe ATU had turned a new leaf with the new half, but a Snowden triple with 6:16 brought all game onlookers back to reality with the Reddies outscoring Tech 12-10 from that point on to hold the 63-42 lead after the third quarter.
 
Jill Thomas did not allow her squad to give an ounce in the final period despite the 21-point lead, willing her team to win the first four minutes of the final frame, 12-2, to erase any hope of a miraculous comeback. A couple garbage time three-pointers from Tech brought the final tally to 85-57.
 
Henderson out-rebounded Arkansas Tech 48-32 as five Reddies saw five or more rebounds, while outscoring the Golden Suns 18-5 in second chance points. The HSU bench also claimed a 32-13 advantage as there was hardly a category the Reddies did not win in the Russellville rout.
 
Less than 24 hours after posting its fourth consecutive victory and third consecutive road win, Henderson St. (17-10, 12-9) brings its winning streak into the final game of the season when it hosts the Harding Lady Bisons inside the Duke Wells Center Saturday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.