Rally from the HSU Reddies Falls Short in Overtime Loss to SEOSU

Courtesy Henderson State University Athletics Department

Steven Kholi hit one of two free throws with 8 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lead Southeastern Oklahoma to an 88-87 win over Henderson State, Saturday in Durant, Okla. Henderson State, 10-9 overall and 5-8 in the Great American Conference, trailed by 17 points with 17:50 to play in the game. The Reddies slowly fought back behind the long-range shooting of Melvin Haynes who hit seven 3-point field goals. Haynes tied the game with 9 seconds left in regulation with a trifecta. Chris Roussell gave the Storm the lead by sinking two free throws with 4 seconds left on the clock. HSU’s Peri James moved quickly down the floor and tied the game at 69-69 with a layup as the buzzer sounded.

In the first overtime, Quiton Threadgill opened the period with a 3-point field goal to give SEOSU the early advantage. Denzel Lyles later hit three consecutive free throws to tie the score at 74-74 with 3:00 left in the first overtime. Andrew Ensley gave the Reddies the lead with a short jumper with 2:19 showing on the clock. Roussell then tied the game at the 1:37 mark with a pair of free throws.

Henderson had a couple of opportunities to win the game in the final minute. Lyles forced a 3-point field goal with 17 seconds remaining, but the shot was off-target. Cory Henshall was able to pull down the offensive rebound for Henderson. Henshall, however, had the ball stripped as he was going to the bucket by Threadgill and the period ended with the game tied at 76-76 to force the second overtime.

SEOSU, 11-8 and 7-6, led the entire second overtime period until James tied the score at 87-87 making a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to play. Kohli then made his game-winning free throw and the SEOSU defense forced a Reddie turnover to end the game. Four Reddies scored in double-figures led by Haynes’ 26 points. Haynes hit 7-of-10 3-point field goals and also pulled down four rebounds. James scored a career-high 20 points with the help of 11-of-12 free throws. Ensley totaled 18 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, while Henshall recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Roussell led Southeastern with 27 points, while Threadgill totaled 25 points. Both teams put up similar shooting numbers with the Reddies making 29-of-69 field goal attempts for 42 percent. SEOSU shot 44 percent from the floor, converting on 27-of-62 shots. Henderson State made an impressive 19-of-21 free throws for 91 percent, while Southeastern was successful on 27-of-34 attempts for 79 percent from the line. Henderson State returns home on Thursday, Feb. 7 to play host to Southern Nazarene with the opening tip set for 7:30 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.