MBB GAME NOTES: VERSUS OUACHITA BAPTIST - JANUARY 23, 2025

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies return home from a two-game road trip to face Ouachita Baptist.
 
In conference play, Henderson State is averaging 74.7 ppg while holding opponents to 71.9 ppg: the fourth-best margin in the conference. The Reddies rank second in the conference in team field-goal percentage at 47.5 percent and lead the conference in team offensive rebounds (11.8 per game). 
 
The Reddies currently have eight players averaging five or more points per game during conference play, with Nehikhare Igiehon leading the team with 14.8 ppg while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and leading the team in rebounds with 6.6 per game. Igiehon is currently fourth in the conference in offensive boards per game (2.6).
 
Mayes is averaging 2.9 steals per game and 0.9 blocks per game, leading the conference in stocks per game. The Inglewood, California, native also leads the Reddies in assists per game and ranks second on the team in rebounds per game.
 
Freshmen Rondae Hill and Jameel Welsey II have seen an increased role on the court together. Hill is averaging 28.7 minutes per game and Wesley II's minutes have increased to 10.7 per contest. Hill is averaging 9.5 ppg on 35 percent shooting from distance and in Wesley II is averaging 5.7 ppg on 75 percent from the field in his last three appearances.
 
The Reddies previously won nine straight games versus the Tigers from 2019-2022. Head Coach Jimmy Elgas has a 12-8 record overall against the Tigers.
 
The Tigers are amid one of their best starts to a season in years: 11-5 overall and 6-4 in conference play. The Tigers have already won more games than they did a season ago, and they  have tied their conference win total from last season with half of the GAC slate remaining.
 
Ouachita Baptist dropped their first three conference games of the season, but since falling to Southern Arkansas in overtime, the Tigers won six straight before dropping a road game to Southern Nazarene by a score of 80-71.
 
Hobert Grayson and Shaun Williams lead a Tiger team that ranks first in the GAC in offense, averaging 77.4 ppg. Grayson, in his first season with the Tigers, is averaging 24.8 ppg during conference play and leads the conference in rebounds per game (11.3).  Williams is second on the team in scoring and ranks eighth in the conference in ppg (17).
 
The Tigers rank first in the conference in turnover margin and second in assist/turnover ratio, with seven players averaging one assist or more.
 
Against Southern Nazarene on Saturday, the Tigers were held to 71 points as they shot just 33.3 percent from deep and 58.3 percent from the line. Grayson scored 28 points but had just one other teammate score in double figures - Reggie Martin with 22.
 
Dennis Nutt is in his 14th season as head coach of the Tigers. He has led the program to two GAC Tournament championships and a regular season title in 2015.
 
Players to Watch:
Jameel Wesley II has seen an increased role in recent weeks. Wesley II recorded 10 minutes versus Southern Nazarene and 17 minutes versus Oklahoma Baptist. Against Oklahoma Baptist, Wesley II scored eight points on perfect four-for-four shooting from the field.
 
Nehikhare Igiehon averaged 14 points and six rebounds during the Reddies most recent road trip.
 
The Battle of the Ravine matchup is set to tip off on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke Wells Center.