ARKADELPHIA, Ark.  -  Henderson State evened its season series with East Central by claiming a 74-68 win over the Tigers at the Duke Wells Center on Thursday.

Redeeming a five-point loss in Ada in December, the Reddies prevailed in a back-and-forth affair that featured 11 lead changes and seven different ties. Henderson took the lead back for good when it outscored ECU 18-9 in the third quarter. HSU's 74 points are the most scored by a GAC team against East Central this season (the Tigers had previously allowed just 60.7 points per game in conference play).

Natalie Cardenas tallied 29 points in the win: her most since December 14. The sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, tied a season high with four made threes and shot 52.9 percent from the floor.

Sam Basson and Brynlee Huggins contributed a lucky 13 points apiece. Basson added three assists, marking the third straight game and the seventh time in nine contests that she has done so or better. Huggins has now reached double figures in 16 of Henderson's 19 games in 2024-25.

Bobbi Bazzle led the team with three steals and went a perfect four-for-four on free throws.

Michaela Mayfield paced the Reddies with seven rebounds in just 15 minutes played.

Tristin Keller posted a team-best four assists in the victory.

HSU will look to build off of back-to-back wins when it faces Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Duke Wells Center on Saturday, February 1. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.