ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Henderson State Men's Basketball falls to Harding University, 86-75, in a hard-fought contest at the Duke Wells Center on Friday night.
 
Although the Reddies scored 40 points in the paint and outscored the Bisons bench 28-16 the Bisons shooting sunk the Reddies late. The Bisons connected on eight more threes than the Reddies. A near double-double by Matthew Mayes was not enough as the team shot just 60.9 percent from the free throw line.
 
Mayes and Tim McDonald each hauled in nine rebounds with six offensive rebounds combined between the two. Freshman Jameel Wesley II was a spark off the bench scoring 11 points in just 19 minutes on 5-9 shooting. Wesley II was vital in the back and forth late between the two teams.
 
The Reddies bounced back after a hot start by the Bisons trailing 9-2 early. The Reddies settled in and a Wesley II layup with six minutes left before the half gave the Reddies their first lead of the game at 27-26. The Reddies went into the half up one thanks to a pair of Rondae Hill free throws.
 
The second half went back-and-forth and after a quick start for the Reddies, extending their lead to six, the next 15 minutes were decided by four or fewer points. With 3:51 remaining in the game a pair of Rondae Hill free throws tied the game. The Bisons connected on three straight threes and the Reddies did not have an answer.
 
The Reddies outrebounded, outscored, had more points off turnovers, second chance points, fast break points, and bench points than the Bisons.
 
Top Performers:
 
Matthew Mayes: 13 pts., 9 reb., and five assists
Jameel Wesley II: 11 pts, 5-9 FG, and 1-1 3PT
 
Henderson State Men's Basketball returns to action on Thursday versus Southern Arkansas at 7:30 p.m. at home.