SEARCY, Ark. – In the final game of the 2024-25 regular season the Reddies nearly knock off the higher seed Harding Bisons.
 
The Reddies entered the night with seeding on the line. A Henderson State win versus the Bisons would have set up a matchup between the two teams in the GAC Tournament. A loss would place HSU in a first-round matchup versus the other Bison in the conference, Oklahoma Baptist.
 
Nehikhare Igiehon won the battle of two of the best bigs in the conference. Igiehon scored 25 points on 12-15 shooting from the field and added eight rebounds. Igiehon has scored 16+ points in seven-straight games and during regular season conference play Igiehon scored in double digits in 20 of 22 conference games.
 
Tim McDonald played a personal season high in minutes with 37 minutes. McDonald grabbed 10 rebounds, five being offensive and five coming on the defensive end.
 
Matthew Mayes was one of three players to score in double digits for the Reddies. Mayes recorded a steal in the first half which resulted in Mayes becoming Henderson State's all-time leader in single season steals, passing the previous mark of 66.
 
HSU totaled 10 more points than HU in fast break points and HSU outscored HU on second chance points.
 
With the loss Henderson State sits at the fifth seed in the conference heading into the conference tournament. Henderson State will face Oklahoma Baptist in the first round of the GAC Tournament. HSU and OKBU will tip off versus the Bisons on Friday at 5:45 p.m. in Fort Smith, Ark.