MBB GAME NOTES: VERSUS NORTHWESTERN FEBRUARY 6, 2025

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Following the sweep of East Central and Southeastern at home HSU looks to extend their winning streak to three and complete the series sweep of NWOSU.
 
The Reddies held strong at home, defeating East Central and Southeastern in different ways. It was the defense that showed up versus East Central holding to 59 points and 34.5 percent shooting from the field. It was the offense that arrived versus Southeastern, scoring 92 points on 58.1 percent shooting from the field.
 
Against Northwestern at home the Reddies dominated. HSU held NWOSU to just 39.8 percent shooting from the field and a season low 18.2 percent from distance. The Reddies held the Rangers top two scorers to under the season averages with 45 percent of their points coming from the free throw line.  
 
In their last outing against Southeastern the Reddies scored 64 points in the paint, Nehikhare Igiehon led the Reddies with 23 points on 10-15 shooting from the field. All starters record a positive +/- and combined for 70 or the Reddies 92 points. As a team the Reddies made seven more shots than the Savage Storm, including nine more shots from the field, and recorded a season high 58.1 percent shooting mark from the field.
 
Rondae Hill has recorded two game winning baskets this season, both coming against Southeastern. The Impressive freshman has stepped up since being entered into the starting lineup earlier this season. Hill during conference play is averaging 9.9 ppg while shooting 36.7 percent from distance, leading the team in three-pointers made with 22. Hill's game has evolved in recent weeks, posting back-to-back 5+ assists game and a season high nine assists against Southeastern.
 
The Reddies currently rank 25^th in the country in field goal percentage 42^nd in the country in bench points per game.
 
The Rangers are led by two of the most prolific scorers in Division II. Cam McDowell and Max Alexander average a combined 45.5 ppg, as a team the Rangers average 74.6 ppg. McDowell is averaging 24.4 ppg on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 36.8 percent from distance. In the previous match up between the Reddies and Rangers McDowell scored 23 points on 7-15 shooting from the field.
 
Since losing to Henderson State 96-70 on the road the Rangers have gone 5-1 with their lone loss being to Harding by five in Searcy. The Rangers biggest win came against Southern Arkansas by 19 points. McDowell scored 26 points on 8-15 shooting from the field and added nine free throws.
 
Against Henderson State at home Northwestern was taken off their game in the second half. After trailing by 10 going into halftime the Reddies kept their foot on the gas, outscoring the Rangers by 16 points. The Rangers shot a season low from three against the Reddies, connecting on just four of their 22 attempts. McDowell and Alexander shot a combined 1-10 from distance in that game.
 
During conference play the Rangers have defended the three-point line the worst, allowing teams to make 35.3 percent of their attempts. Overall the Rangers rank 249^th in the country in opponent three-point percentage.
 
NWOSU sits a game behind HSU at 8-6 in GAC play, good for sixth in the conference with just weeks remaining before the end of the season.
 
Players to Watch:
 
Star freshman Rondae Hill posted a near double-double versus Southeastern, scoring 19 points and dishing out nine assists.
 
Matthew Mayes continues to lead the conference in stocks (steals+blocks) per game. Mayes is currently averaging 3.8 stocks per game this season, adding four last game versus the Savage Storm.
 
The Reddies tip off against the Rangers at 7:30 p.m. in Alva, Okla.