ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Ricky Brown and
Terry Coner Jr. combined to score 48 points but that wasn't enough as Henderson State escaped with an 81-80 win over the Bison on Friday at the Duke Wells Center.
Remarkably, HSU shot an awful 9-of-30 (30.0) percent from the foul line and still managed to win.
Trailing by five at halftime, the Reddies mounted a second-half comeback behind a stellar performance from Rondae Hill, who poured in a game-high 28 points, including four 3-pointers. HSU (15-10, 11-8 GAC) overcame a sluggish first half to shoot 56.25% from the field after the break, capitalizing on key defensive stops down the stretch.
Oklahoma Baptist (16-9, 13-6 GAC) started strong, fueled by
Ricky Brown's 25 points and seven rebounds. The Bison controlled much of the first half, leading 41-36 at intermission. However, their second-half shooting cooled, and Henderson State took advantage, outscoring them 45-39 in the final 20 minutes.
Neikhare Igiehon was a dominant force in the paint for the Reddies, recording a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. His defensive presence, including two blocks, helped stifle Oklahoma Baptist's interior scoring in the final minutes. Tim McDonald added nine points and seven rebounds, while Jamarion Brown and Matthew Mayes each chipped in six points and strong defensive efforts.
The game saw 12 ties and 10 lead changes, with the outcome uncertain until the final buzzer. In the closing moments,
Daniel Ransom's layup brought Oklahoma Baptist within one, 81-80, with 27 seconds remaining. Then, the hosts missed four straight free throws to keep the scoreboard within one point. However, on OBU's final possession, a left corner three by Brown fell short and Henderson prevailed.
Despite struggles at the free-throw line, the Reddies offset that by outscoring OBU in the paint, 44-32. Furthermore, HSU outscored the Bison's bench 12-0.
With the win, Henderson State strengthened its conference postseason chances while OBU moved back to third in the standings. On Sunday, the Bison will have a chance to get back into the second-place slot should they win at Ouachita. That contest with the Tigers is set for a 3 p.m. tip.
