ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State let a nine-point halftime lead slip away Thursday night, falling 74–70 to Southeastern Oklahoma State in its Great American Conference opener at the Duke Wells Center.

The Reddies (3–4, 0–1 GAC) controlled the first half behind 50% shooting and a burst of early energy that produced a 41–32 advantage at the break. But Southeastern Oklahoma (2–5, 1–0) flipped the game after halftime, outscoring HSU 42–29 while shooting a scorching 61.5% from the field and 50% from three in the second half.

KJ Sykes and Xavier Owens each scored 18 points to lead Henderson State, combining to shoot 12 of 25 from the floor. Sykes added three assists and two steals, while Owens posted six rebounds and a team-high three steals. Tyson Whybrew contributed 11 points and six rebounds, and junior guard Zaveion Okoh finished with eight points, three assists and two steals despite a 3-for-14 shooting night.

Henderson State shot 46.7% from the field but struggled from deep, going just 6 of 22 (27.3%) from beyond the arc and 2 of 11 in the second half. The Reddies also committed 16 turnovers, which Southeastern turned into 12 points.

Deondre Dunn powered the Savage Storm with a game-high 19 points, including 14 after halftime, and Chandler Dickinson added 14 points and two blocks. Southeastern shot 51.9% for the game and outscored the Reddies 38–36 in the paint while winning the second-chance points 6–2 after the break.

HSU led by as many as 10 in the first half and held a 68–64 advantage with just over six minutes left, but Southeastern closed on a 10–2 run. Dunn's free throws with 25 seconds remaining extended the Storm's lead to four, and Henderson State missed its final three shot attempts as the rally fell short.

Henderson State returns to conference play Saturday afternoon with the first matchup of the season with the East Central Tigers. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m.