ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies began the 2026 portion of their season with a win at home against the Cotton Blossoms of Arkansas-Monticello today, ultimately defeating them 76-41.
(RV) Henderson State (8-2, 4-2) were led today by
Natalie Cardenas, who scored 20 points, who was 8-16 from the floor, and perfect (2-2) from three.
Grayson Fairless each added 12 points, while
Brynlee Huggins and
Macy Willis provided 11 and 10 respectively. Fairless led the Reddies with 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double, while
Riley Samples provided six.
Sam Basson, Cardenas, and
Marlee Raby all led the Reddies with two assists each.
Game Recap
The Reddies started the scoring, taking a quick 8-2 lead with four points by Fairless. Four points by Huggins extended the Reddie lead to 12-4 with 4:23 left. The Blossoms began to creep back, as they narrowed the lead to 14-13 going into the second quarter.
To start the second quarter, the Reddies opened the scoring off a Cardenas three. Cardenas added another three to
Kadee Keaster's two to hold the score at 22-13 after the first four minutes. The Reddies kept up the pressure, as they held a 28-19 lead going into the last minute of the half. The Blossoms only mustered two more points before the half ended, with Henderson State leading 28-21.
To open the second half, Huggins and Raby each added two points to continue the momentum for the Reddies. Another jumper by Cardenas gave the Reddies a 34-23 lead with 6:21 left in the quarter. UAM continued to attempt to narrow the lead, managing to hold the score at 41-28 lead with 2:00 left in the quarter, before Willis scored five straight, and Cardenas added two more to hold a 20-point lead 48-28 in the last minute of the quarter. UAM only mustered one more point, and the Reddies led 48-29.
In the final quarter, Henderson State kept putting up points, as Fairless and Cardenas extended the lead to 52-29. UAM managed to lower the lead to under 20-points, before Huggins added another layup to lead 54-33 with 7:55 left in the game. With 5:00 left in the game, after a three by Basson, the Reddies led 64-35. Henderson State extended their lead to 30 points going into the last two minutes. UAM managed one more point in the game, while Henderson State supplied six to secure the victory 76-41.
Up Next –
Women's Basketball goes on the road to Weatherford, Oklahoma to face Southwestern Oklahoma State January 8th at 5:30 PM in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
