ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies look to make it five straight wins in conference as they travel to Bethany, Oklahoma, to face the Crimson Storm.
 
Henderson State currently sits tied for first in the conference with Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist at 7-1. The Reddies have the second-longest win streak in the conference with wins against Southern Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello, Southwestern, and Northwestern. HSU is undefeated on the road during conference play this season with wins over Southeastern, East Central, Arkansas Tech, and Arkansas-Monticello. On the road, the Reddies are outscoring their opponents by 7.3 ppg during GAC play, including a 14-point victory versus Arkansas Tech.
 
In conference play, Henderson State is averaging 76 ppg while holding opponents to 69 ppg: a plus-seven point differential, which is the third-best margin in the conference. The Reddies lead the conference in team field-goal percentage at 48.9 percent and team offensive rebounds with 100 (12.5 per game).
 
Against Northwestern on Saturday, HSU won the battle on the glass by outrebounding the Rangers 45-23 - a season-high margin. As a team, Jimmy Elgas's squad shot 55.2 percent from the field and connected on 27 free throws, which was also a season high. In the 26-point win, the Reddies held two of the most prolific scorers in the conference to a combined 11-30 from the field and 1-10 from three. Matthew Mayes led the team in points (19), assists (five), steals (four), and field goal percentage (72.7).
 
The Reddies currently have six players averaging six or more points per game during conference play, with Nehikhare Igiehon leading the team with 15 ppg while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and leading the team in rebounds with 6.8 boards per game. Igiehon is currently tied for third in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.6). Mayes is averaging 3.1 steals per game and one block per game, leading the conference in stocks per game. Mayes was named GAC Defensive Player of the Week last week after posting five steals and two blocks against UAM. Star freshman Rondae Hill has made an immediate impact, averaging 9.8 ppg while shooting 46.4 percent from deep.
 
HSU split the season series with the Crimson Storm last season, winning at home by 14 points. Tim McDonald scored 14 points in the win.
 
Southern Nazarene enters the matchup 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference. The Crimson Storm is undefeated at home this season, with conference wins over Arkansas-Monticello, Southern Arkansas, and Southwestern. The Crimson Storm have not played a home game since December 14, 2024, against Southwestern.
 
Led by Baron Bracey, the Crimson Storm is outscoring opponents 71.4-62.9 ppg, which is the second-best margin in the conference. Bracey is averaging 14.4 ppg while shooting 41.4 percent from deep. As a team, Southern Nazarene has seven scorers averaging six or more points per game.
 
In their last outing versus Arkansas Tech, the Crimson Storm defeated the Wonder Boys 60-55. The Crimson Storm had three players score in double digits and, as a team, SNU outrebounded Arkansas Tech 41-26.
 
The Crimson Storm ranks second in the conference in opponent three-point percentage (30.5) during conference play.
 
The Crimson Storm is led by head coach BJ Foster, who is in his second season as head coach for Southern Nazarene. Foster has an overall record of 26-16 and led SNU to the four-seed in the GAC Tournament a season ago.
 
Players to Watch:
Xavier Owens had his best game since his 30-point performance versus Champion Christian. Owens scored 16 points on 7-11 shooting from the field in just 23 minutes versus Northwestern.
 
Nehikhare Igiehon posted his first double-double of the season against Northwestern, scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Tip-off between the Reddies and the Crimson Storm is set for Thursday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. in SNU's Sawyer Center.