WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Shooting just 19.2 percent (5-of-26) from three-point range and 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the free-throw line, Henderson State fell in overtime to Southwestern Oklahoma State, 84-82.
The loss drops HSU to 5-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play while marking its second overtime loss this season. All three of the Reddies' losses in league play have been by one possession.
Henderson's shooting woes extended across the entire playing surface Thursday night, hitting on just 37.0 percent (30-of-81) of its field-goals. The red-and-gray attempted 23 more field-goals than Southwestern while making only three more shots.
For the second straight game,
Zyon Patterson and
Malek Davis matched each other in scoring with 17 points apiece.
Tomislav Miholjcic delivered his second consecutive double-double with 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds.
A first half that saw HSU shoot 43.2 percent (16-of-37) from the field for a two-point lead at the break, 37-35, was quickly forgotten after the Reddies shot just 31.8 percent (14-of-44) in the second half and overtime, as well as 60.9 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-23) during that same stretch.
After a three-pointer from Southwestern put the Bulldogs ahead 38-37 19 seconds into second-half action, Henderson proceeded to go on a 14-4 run to open the red-and-gray's biggest lead up to that point, 51-42. The lead grew to 10 before the Bulldogs went on their own run.
Two minutes of game time following HSU's first double-digit lead of the contest, the Reddies found themselves hanging on to a two-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. Despite the comeback, Henderson held onto the advantage until a pair of free-throws at the 5:45 mark put SWOSU ahead for the first time since early in the second half, 66-64.
The lead did not last long for the home team as big buckets from Patterson and Davis down the stretch allowed HSU to regain a four-point lead with 1:31 remaining in regulation. From there, HSU went 1-for-5 from the charity stripe, allowing the Bulldogs to force overtime.
Overtime started the way the second half ended for the Reddies as the red-and-gray left two more points at the free-throw line. Neither team led by more than three as HSU had a chance to tie it once again late in overtime before its third missed free-throw of the extra period allowed Southwestern to open a two-point lead, leaving Henderson one final shot to either tie or go for the win.
A last-second kick out to
Ken Lewis for a corner three just missed as Southwestern escaped on its home floor, 84-82. Henderson St. will now look to split the Oklahoma road trip when it heads to Alva, Oklahoma, to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday at 3 p.m.Â