Henderson State University Athletics

TULSA, Okla. — Henderson State outscored Rogers State 46-32 in the second half and used an 11-0 run to take control in a 76-64 victory Friday at Union Multipurpose Activity Center.

The Reddies (2-0) overcame a two-point halftime deficit and shot 57.7% from the field in the second half to secure their second consecutive win to start the season. Henderson held Rogers State (0-1) to 35.3% shooting for the game, including 3-of-19 from 3-point range.

Kaylon Mason led Henderson with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Zaveion Okoh added 14 points, while Rondae Hill finished with nine points, six assists and four steals.

Henderson received 39 points from its bench compared to 13 for Rogers State. The Reddies also held a 44-35 rebounding advantage and outscored the Hillcats 36-28 in the paint.

The Reddies opened the game with a 4-2 lead behind two baskets from Tyson Whybrew. After Rogers State tied the game at six, Mason connected on his first 3-pointer to put Henderson ahead 9-6 with 13:36 remaining in the first half.

Henderson built an 11-point advantage midway through the period. A 3-pointer from Hill and a layup from Okoh pushed the lead to five before baskets from Mason, Jabari West, AJ Howard and Okoh extended the margin to 25-14 with 7:59 remaining.

Rogers State responded with a 16-5 stretch to tie the game at 30 on a 3-pointer from Matt Mowers with 1:21 left. Damondre McKnight made two free throws with four seconds remaining to give the Hillcats a 32-30 halftime lead.

The Hillcats extended their advantage to 35-30 in the opening minutes of the second half before Henderson began its comeback. A jumper from Okoh and a basket from Whybrew cut the deficit to one.

Rogers State held a 41-36 lead with 15 minutes remaining before the Reddies produced the decisive run. Rodrigo Rioja scored on a layup and followed with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 41. Mason connected from beyond the arc to give Henderson a 44-41 lead, and Hill added another 3-pointer to cap an 11-0 run with 13:02 remaining.

The Hillcats cut the lead to 55-53 with 8:41 left, but Henderson answered with a 3-pointer from Mason to push the margin back to five. The Reddies extended their advantage to double digits on two free throws from James Elgas with 4:29 remaining.

Henderson built its largest lead of 12 points on multiple occasions in the closing minutes and maintained control to secure the victory.

The Reddies finished 27-of-62 from the field (43.5%) and 7-of-17 from beyond the arc (41.2%). Henderson also held a 12-3 advantage in second-chance points and committed 12 turnovers while forcing 19.

Howard contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench, while Justus Michael added eight points. Rioja Achiaga finished with seven points, and Whybrew recorded six points and six rebounds, including five offensive boards.

Daivion Boleware led Rogers State with 23 points and seven rebounds. Tim Jordan Jr. added 10 points, while Mowers finished with nine.

Henderson limited Rogers State to nine made field goals in each half and held the Hillcats to 15.8% shooting from 3-point range for the game.

HSU continues in the Tulsa Tip-Off Classic on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Reddies will face off against the Riverhawks of Northeastern State (Okla.).