Lady Reddies Commit 28 Turnovers in a 67-49 Loss to Arkansas Tech

Courtesy HSU Athletics Department

Henderson State committed a season-high 28 turnovers as Arkansas Tech beat the Lady Reddies 67-49, Saturday at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark.

Arkansas Tech made good use of its fortunes as the Golden Suns scored 27 points off of Henderson’s mistakes.

It was a game of runs for both teams with Arkansas Tech striking first. Leading 10-9 with 12:54 in the opening half, the Golden Suns outscored Henderson State 24-6 over the next 10 minutes to take a 34-15 advantage.

Henderson State, 8-5 overall and 3-4 in the Great American Conference, cut into the deficit over the next 2:36 as the Lady Reddies ended the half on a 7-0 run getting a 3-point field goal by Sheay Longstaff while Krystal Beachum sunk four consecutive free throws to make the score 34-22 at the break. 

Arkansas Tech opened the second half by building a 47-29 lead before Longstaff and Destiny Smith jump-started the Lady Reddie offense once more. 

Smith, who was limited to just 3 points in the first half, powered her way inside to score 9 points while Longstaff hit a pair a treys over the next six minutes as Henderson put a scare into the ATU faithful by drawing within single-digits of the Golden Suns, 49-41 at the 9:53 mark. 

Arkansas Tech’s defense then forced five Henderson State turnovers over the next five minutes and turned those miscues into 10 points as the Golden Suns took control and pulled away from the Lady Reddies. 

The Golden Suns, 8-5 and 5-2, outscored Henderson 18-8 the rest of the way as Henderson was just 2-for-13 from the field down the stretch.

After struggling in the first half, Smith ended the game with 16 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Lady Reddies, while Beachum added 12 points and Longstaff totaling 9.

Rosa Silva led Arkansas Tech with a game-high 17 points, while Jessica Weatherford and Jasmine Poole had 12 points each.

The Lady Reddies shot just 33 percent from the field making 16-of-49 shots, while the Golden Suns were 22-of-50 from the field for 44 percent shooting.

Henderson State returns home on Thursday, Jan. 17 as the Lady Reddies play host to Southwestern Oklahoma with opening tipoff slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.