MBB GAME NOTES: VERSUS SOUTHERN NAZARENE FEBRUARY 23, 2025

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Following back-to-back wins at home the Reddies look to split the season series versus #20 Southern Nazarene.
 
The Reddies enter tomorrow's matchup with the top-seeded Crimson Storm riding the momentum from an all-time freshman performance from Rondae Hill. Hill scored 28 points in a one-point win over Oklahoma Baptist, the most points scored by a Reddie freshman since Chris Parker's 26-point performance against Ouachita Baptist.
 
Nehikhare Igiehon continued his all-GAC level season against Oklahoma Baptist, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Igiehon secured his second 15+ point double-double and fifth 20-point game in the last nine games.
 
The Reddies continued their dominance in the paint versus Oklahoma Baptist scoring 44 points in the paint, totaling four blocks and nine steals. The Reddies added 19 points off fast break opportunities and grabbed 43 rebounds and held the leading rebounding team in the conference to a tie on the boards. Henderson State's eight made threes is the second most made threes in a conference game for the Reddies this season.
 
Henderson State currently leads the conference in offensive rebounds (11.3).
 
Henderson State clinched a spot in the GAC Tournament last night with the win with three games remaining. HSU has yet to play SNU and ATU at home and will close out the 2024-25 season versus Harding in Searcy, Ark.
 
The #20 Crimson Storm have been a consistent at the top of the conference standings all season. The Crimson Storm began conference 15-1 but since then have lost three-straight games, two times on the road and once at home.
 
In their last outing SNU lost to OBU 76-70, the Crimson Storm's leading scorer Stevie Strong scored 17 points on 5-15 shooting from the field. The Crimson Storm connected on just five threes against the Tigers and scored just four points off bench.
 
Southern Nazarene has been as consistent as they come in the conference. The Crimson Storm average 74.9 points per game during conference play and hold opponents to just 67.1 points per game, the best margin in the conference 7.8 points.
 
In Bethany the Crimson Storm got hot early against the Reddies, scoring 44 points in the first half and connecting on eight threes in the first half. Strong scored 34 points and collected six steals.
 
During the Crimson Storm's three-game losing streak they have not reached their conference average in points per game (74.9). In the loss to East Central Southern Nazarene had four players score in double figures but Strong did not play.
 
Southern Nazarene is led by BJ Foster who enters his second season at the helm for the Crimson Storm with an overall record 34-19.
 
Players to Watch:
 
Jamarion Brown quietly dominated the game for the Reddies versus Oklahoma Baptist. Brown's six points, six assists and six rebounds led to a +18 +/- on the night.
 
Rondae Hill has proven to be one of the most notable freshmen in the GAC this season. Hill, currently averaging 11.2 ppg and 2.8 assists scored 28 points versus Oklahoma Baptist, the most in a conference game by a freshman this season in the GAC.

The Reddies are set for tip off tomorrow in the Duke Wells Center at 3 p.m. versus Southern Nazarene