MBB GAME NOTES: VERSUS SOUTHERN ARKANSAS - JANUARY 25, 2025

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State begins the second half of GAC play at Southern Arkansas in a rematch of the Reddies' 79-76 win over the Muleriders at the Duke Wells Center last month.
 
The Reddies will look to make it two in a row versus Southern Arkansas as the team enters the second half of the conference slate. At home, Matthew Mayes filled the stat sheet versus the Muleriders. He scored 18 points, hauled in nine rebounds, and posted a combined four stocks (steals+blocks). Although the Reddies only connected on three three-pointers, they owned the points in the paint battle, 48-16, and outscored the Muleriders by six points on points off turnovers.
 
In conference play, Henderson State is averaging 74.6 ppg while holding opponents to 72.5 ppg: the fourth-best margin in the conference. The Reddies rank second in the conference in team field goal percentage (47.5 percent) and team offensive rebounds (11.2).
 
The Reddies currently have eight players averaging five or more points per game during conference play, with Nehikhare Igiehon leading the team with 15.5 ppg while shooting 53.0 percent from the field and leading the team with 6.6 rebounds per game. Igiehon is currently tied for third in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.5).
 
Mayes is averaging 2.9 steals per game and 0.9 blocks per game, leading the conference in stocks per game. The junior from Inglewood, California, also leads the Reddies in assists per game and ranks second on the team in rebounds per game.
 
The freshman duo of Rondae Hill and Jameel Welsey II have seen an increase in minutes on the court together. During conference play, Hill is averaging 29.2 minutes per game and Wesley II's minutes have increased to 11.1 per game. Hill is averaging 9.9 ppg on 37.5 percent shooting from distance and in Wesley II's last three appearances he is averaging 5.0 ppg on 7-13 shooting from the field.
 
In his first season at the helm, Mark Rutledge has his Southern Arkansas squad sitting at 7-10 overall and 4-7 in conference play. In their last six outings, the Muleriders have gone 3-3, with their biggest win being over Southeastern by 18 points at home.
 
SAU currently sits tied with East Central, Arkansas Tech, and Southeastern for the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament. Against East Central, Arkansas Tech, and Southeastern, Southern Arkansas went 1-2 while outscoring its opponents by an average of 3.7 ppg.
 
Southern Arkansas is led by BJ Davis, who is averaging 13.2 ppg during conference play on 39.3 percent shooting from distance. The Muleriders have six players averaging eight or more points per game during conference play.
 
In their last outing, the Muleriders defeated Arkansas-Monticello at home by 13 points. Davis scored 19 points while hauling in five rebounds and dishing out five assists. Southern Arkansas made ten threes versus the Boll Weevils and won the points in the battle 38-26.
 
As a team, the Muleriders rank 11^th in the conference in team field goal percentage (42.2) and seventh in team opponent field goal percentage (45.8). Southern Arkansas ranks third in the conference in threes made per game (8.6) and holds opponents to 34.4 percent shooting from distance.
 
Players to Watch:
Jameel Wesley II has seen an increased role in recent weeks. Wesley II recorded 10 minutes versus Southern Nazarene, 17 minutes versus Oklahoma Baptist, and 15 minutes versus Ouachita Baptist. Against Oklahoma Baptist, Wesley II scored eight points on a perfect four-for-four shooting from the field.
 
Nehikhare Igiegon outscored two of the top seven scorers in the conference on Thursday versus Ouachita Baptist. Igiehon scored 23 points and hauled in seven rebounds.
 
The Reddies will look to make it two in a row versus Southern Arkansas on Saturday, January 24, at 3 p.m.