Reddies Downed by Arkansas Tech 75-63

Courtesy HSU Athletics Department

Henderson State’s shooting troubles continued as Arkansas Tech upended the Reddies 75-63, Saturday in Russellville, Ark.

The Reddies, 8-5 overall and 3-4 in the Great American Conference, managed to shoot just 30 percent and grabbed just two offensive rebounds in the second half as the Wonder Boy defense was too much for Henderson. 

Henderson began the first-half by jumping out to a 13-7 lead with the help of a pair of 3-point field goals by Melvin Haynes. 

Arkansas Tech tied the score at 13-13 with 13:39 left in the half as the Wonder Boys scored on their next three possessions. 

The teams traded leads four times and were tied five times the remainder of the half. Joe McCoy broke a 31-31 tie with a 1:04 left with a layup before Arkansas Tech’s Willie Kirkland made one of two free throws just before the end of the half to make the score 33-32 at the break. 

Arkansas Tech began the next half outscoring the Reddies 11 to 3 to take a 43-36 lead with 16:29 left in the game. Kirkland scored seven points during the run including a 3-point field goal. 

The Reddies struggled to recover as the Wonder Boys dominated the boards in the second half out-rebounding the Reddies 29 to 14 in the final 20 minutes. The Wonder Boys also caught fire in the half converting on 16-of-29 shots from the field for 55 percent. 

Jonathan Fitzgerald led the Reddies in scoring with 16 points while having four assists. Andrew Ensley recorded his seventh double-double of the season ending the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Joe McCoy pitched-in with 10 points.

Kirkland led all scorers with 26 points, with Kendell Pinkney scoring 10 points for the home team.

Henderson State ended the game hitting on just 20-of-60 field goals for 33 percent while Arkansas Tech shot 50 percent for the game making 29-for-58 from the field.

The Reddies will next play host to Southwestern Oklahoma on Thursday, Jan. 17 with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.