COVERAGE LINKS | GAME NOTES vs. UCO
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State heads west to Las Vegas, Nevada, to take part in the High Desert Classic, which returns to the Division II men's basketball scene after being played annually between 1993 and 2010. The two-day tournament will be held at Desert Oasis High School.
 
The Reddies will face off against tournament hosts No. 7 Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State. Henderson battles the Bronchos Monday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. PST before meeting the Gorillas Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. PST.
 
REDDIES REPORT (3-4, 2-2 GAC)
Henderson State closed out 2023's conference slate with a win on the road against Harding to improve to 2-2 in league play. After holding a one-point lead at the break, the Reddies outscored the Bisons 48-36 the rest of the way to post the 78-65 victory. Zyon Patterson was a big part of the second-half surge, scoring 15 points in the final 20 minutes before finishing with a team-high 20 points. As a team, HSU shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second period.
 
Thursday was Henderson's highest scoring game away from the Duke Wells Center as the red-and-gray have scored at least 70 points in all three of their victories. In the same vein, HSU is 0-4 when scoring fewer than 70 this season. Through seven games, the Reddies are averaging 77.1 points per game for third in the GAC while holding teams to 67.0 points per game – second in the league.
 
To go with its formidable scoring defense, Henderson continues to guard the perimeter at a high rate. The Reddies lead the conference and are 11th in NCAA Division II in opponent three-point field-goal percentage (27.2%). When holding its opponents below 32.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc, HSU is 3-2 this year.
 
Monday will be the second ever meeting between Henderson State and No. 7 Central Oklahoma, while the Reddies and Pittsburg St. have faced four previous times. Henderson is 1-0 all-time against the now-named Bronchos, having defeated them in the 1973-74 season back when UCO was Central State University. The Reddies are 2-2 all-time against PSU, having won the last meeting between the two programs, 59-57, during the 2021-22 campaign.      
 
SCOUTING No. 7 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (9-1, 3-1 MIAA)
No. 7 Central Oklahoma comes into Monday's contest with a 9-1 overall record and a 3-1 stand in the MIAA. The Bronchos were ranked as high as No. 3 in the country before falling to the Reddies' Tuesday opponent, the Pittsburg State Gorillas. In that game, UCO's offense managed just 66 points - its lowest scoring conference game this season. On the year, Central Oklahoma as a team is averaging 78.1 points per game.
 
The Bronchos' staple through 10 games has been their defense. As of Friday, Dec. 15, UCO's fourth-ranked scoring defense in Division II is holding its opponents to 59.2 points per outing while the opposition is shooting a meager 38.4 percent from the floor, which is ninth in the country. Leading scorer Jaden Wells also leads the staunch defensive effort with 2.7 steals per game for the 14th most among the national leaders.
 
SCOUTING PITTSBURG STATE (4-4, 2-2 MIAA)
Pittsburg State enters the High Desert Classic off its biggest win of the season against then-No. 3 Central Oklahoma, 75-66, as it improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in league play. The Gorillas held UCO to just 20.8 percent (5-of-24) three-point shooting while they themselves hit at a 43.8 percent clip (7-of-16) from beyond the arc in what was PSU's second best three-point field-goal percentage this season. Through its eight games, Pittsburg St. is holding opponents to 30.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc, which is third in the MIAA.
 
Sophomore guard Max Alexander was named the MIAA Player of the Week after leading Pittsburg St. over Central Oklahoma behind 24 points and five assists. Alexander, who has scored 20 or more points in six of PSU's eight games, paces the Gorillas and is 15th in the country with 22.1 points per game. Freshman guard Jordan Frison, who has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, backs up Alexander with 15.0 points per game on 50.0 percent (43-of-86) shooting from the floor.
 
TICKETS
For fans making the trip to Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas, tickets will be handled at the door and are $12 for adults and $5 for students. A single ticket will be good for that entire day as there will be no weekend or tournament passes. Admission will be CASH ONLY.  
 
HOW TO WATCH
Streaming of all High Desert Classic contests will be done over the MIAA Network. Fans can view Henderson State's games against No. 7 Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State with a $15 purchase per game. Visit THIS LINK to make your single-game purchase. Henderson State Athletics is not responsible for the streaming of either contest.