SHAWNEE – Ricky Brown knocked down a trio of three-pointers late in the second half to cut tonight's contest versus HSU close, but it was to avail as Henderson State (7-4, 4-1 GAC) squeezed out a 75-72 win over Oklahoma Baptist (6-5, 3-2 GAC) Thursday night inside the Noble Complex.
OBU posted one of its worst nights from the free throw line, finishing 8-22 (36.4%). The woes from the charity stripe cost the Bison down the stretch as nine of its 12 free throw misses came in the second half. Oklahoma Baptist made just four freebies in the closing frame.
Despite the troubles, the Bison remained ahead of its opponent for more than half the game.
Following a 6-0 Reddie run to start the game, OBU netted two straight threes, courtesy of Brown and Joshua Udoumoh, to come within two. Henderson held the lead until the 12:18 mark when Paul King cashed in from beyond the arc to give OBU a 16-13 advantage.
The action sparked an 11-2 Bison run that left the home team with a nine-point cushion with six minutes remaining in the first.
However, HSU's efforts didn't waver, responding with a mild run to close the gap, 24-22. The two clubs traded buckets until the score read 33-26 going into halftime.
Henderson State improved its field goal percentage from 41.7% in the first to 57.1% in the closing stanza. HSU outrebounded the Bison 24-16 and shot 63.6% from deep, accounting for seven triples.
The shooting success allowed Henderson to regain control of the game after OBU's lead reached as far as 11 in the second half.
Ahead 54-52 with 10 minutes left, the Reddies went 8-12 from the field to close out the game. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Baptist shot 41.1% (7-17) and went 50% from the free-throw line.
King and Brown came away with 17 and 15 points to lead OBU offensively. Brown's five three-point makes came at the most crucial times in the game. Furthermore, Brown added a game-high in steals (2).
Trey Doomes accounted for 14 points on 6-13 shooting to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. D.J. Freeman scored eight points and brought down six boards before exiting the contest due to injury.
Reserves Udoumoh and Kayden Carter pitched in six and five points, highlighted by a 3-4 showing at the free throw line from Carter.
Oklahoma Baptist returns to the hardwood on Saturday to cap its three-game homestand with a 3:00 p.m. matchup with Ouachita Baptist (4-5, 2-3 GAC) inside the Noble Complex.
