DURANT, Okla.  -  Henderson State opened the 2024-25 conference slate on a high note with a thrilling 74-71 win at Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday night.

After trailing by eight points at the halftime break, the Reddies stormed back and took a 66-65 lead with a jump shot from Jameel Wesley II. The Savage Storm would go on to tie the game with nine seconds remaining in regulation. On the next possession, freshman Rondae Hill hit a game-winning three-pointer with just under three seconds to go.

As a team, HSU went 50 percent from both the field and three-point range during the second half.

Nehikhare Igiehon led the team with 17 points while making 60 percent of his field goal attempts. 

Matthew Mayes proved to play a significant role on both sides of the court. The Inglewood, California, native made 50 percent of his shots (including two of his three attempts from three-point range) to finish the night with 15 points. He also paced the team with eight rebounds, two blocks, and four steals.

Deazhon Perkins contributed 13 points and two steals.

Hill finished the night with 13 points and two assists. His game-winner was the last of three three-point makes for the Shreveport, Louisiana, native during Thursday night's game.

Wesley II recorded four points, a steal, and an assist in just seven minutes played during the Reddies' second-half comeback.

Henderson will look to improve its conference record to 2-0 on Saturday, December 7, when the team takes on East Central in Ada, Oklahoma. Tip-off at the Kerr Activities Center is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.