With just three games left in the regular season for the Reddies, each dribble seems to garner more and more importance. Every game gives each team a glimpse and what could more than likely be their post season form with the GACC tournament just around the corner. 

But before they hit the road for the GACC tournament the Reddies have to take care of business one last time facing off against Ouachita Baptist University this Tuesday with the women’s game tipping off and starting the night at 5:30 p.m.. 

Starting off things at home the Women’s team faced off against University of Monticello a game that was in question up until the third quarter. Coming out of the half, Monticello was just 5 points behind the Reddies with the score being 27 – 32. Almost as if a switch had been flipped, the Reddies went from a halfheartedly disconnecteded effort on defense to a lock down unit that forced six turnovers in the 3rd quarter alone. 

The final score in this game saw the Reddies come out on top with the score being Henderson 80 – Monticello 65. Key contributions came from Hailey Estes with 20 points (6-11 FGM, 3-5 from 3), 2 blocks and 3 steals, Pink Jones who had 15 points and 2 steals and Bree Bossier who had yet another double-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. 

This game seemed to serve as an example of just how dominating we can be when we set our mind to it. This was demonstrated by just how easily we began to take control coming out of halftime. 

Next up was a road trip to Russellville to take on Arkansas Tech University for an unusually close affair. The game saw both teams struggle form the floor with Tech having shooting splits of 36.8% from the floor and 21.4% from 3. HSU had 38.5% from the floor and 36.7% from 3, though the true downfall of the Reddies would be ball control. 

We had 14 turnovers on the night giving tech all the possessions they needed to stay in the game. The final moments of this one saw a single free throw with time running down to give Tech a three point lead with the final score being Arkansas Tech 68 – Henderson State 65. 

There was assuredly a playoff atmosphere to this game as Tech is ranked just one spot above us in the GAC standings, but it almost appeared as if the atmosphere of the game sapped the mojo out of our offense with no one except Haleigh Henson. She shot 9-16 on the night and having 24 points, scoring all the efficiently which is something that cannot continue to happen moving forward. 

The Men’s team laced up Thursday evening to face off against Monticello as well in what would be a close game that would see regulation end and go into overtime. Monticello was able to force overtime in what can only be called a nail bitter of a basket as Keelin Jackson tipped in a missed 3 point attempt by his teammates as time winded down. 

Once in overtime, Monticello seemed to have no problem taking care of a team that was both mentally and physically exhausted with the final score of that game being Monticello 91 – Henderson 84. Next up was Arkansas Tech, a game that would see senior Kaylon Tappin going on a scoring rampage. 

Tappin finished Saturday night’s game in Russellville with a state line of 34 points, shooting 54.5% from the floor (12-22 FGM), making 7 3’s (7-11 from behind the arc), along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. He not only secured the win, with the final score of the game being Henderson 83 – Arkansas Tech 75, but he also showed everyone why he is the leading the GACC in scoring this season. 

With the postseason fast approaching, though, the Men’s team will need more than heroic efforts from one player if they hope to make it past the first round of the tournament. One can only hope that fellow guards Chris Parker and Josh Jones get fired up any hid performance and help carry that fire through the rest of the season.