ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Oklahoma Baptist continued its strong run through Great American Conference play with a 73–61 road victory over Henderson State on Saturday at the Duke Wells Center. The Bison improved to 14-2 overall and 8-2 in league action by controlling the game early and answering every Reddies push in the second half.
OBU set the tone in the opening minutes behind the hot shooting of
Terry Coner Jr., who knocked down three triples in the first 12 minutes as the Bison jumped out to a double-digit lead. The visitors shot 48.3 percent from the field in the first half and connected on six 3-pointers, taking a 39–27 advantage into the locker room. Coner Jr. had 15 of his game-high 24 points by halftime, while
Erik Madrid and
Joshua Udoumoh helped control the glass.
Henderson State made a push early in the second half, trimming the margin to five points after baskets from Xavier Owens and Zaveion Okoh. The Reddies continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 41–38 midway through the period, but OBU responded with timely stops and efficient offense in the paint. Udoumoh scored seven of his 12 points after the break, including a key three-pointer and multiple second-chance baskets that pushed the lead back into double figures.
The Bison closed the game with poise, going 7-for-7 at the free-throw line in the second half and forcing key turnovers that led to transition scores. OBU finished with a 42–32 rebounding advantage and outscored Henderson State's bench 16-8.
Coner Jr. led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Udoumoh added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Madrid chipped in eight points and eight boards. Henderson State was paced by Owens and Jabari West with 13 points apiece, but the Reddies were held to just 1-of-9 shooting from three-point range.
A colossal matchup is next for the Bison. They will host No. 14 (NABC) Southern Nazarene (13-3, 7-3 GAC) on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. It will mark the halfway point of the conference season with OBU holding a one-game lead on the Crimson Storm for second place in the standings.
