Boll Weevils plow over Reddies in Monticello

After the first points of the game were scored by senior forward Raekwon Rogers, the game experienced a delay due to the shot clock malfunctioning. The duration of the game was played with one shot clock.

The teams kept up with each other pace-wise at the start as both teams shot well. Every other possession ended with the score being tied or a lead change. However, with the swift tempo comes sloppy plays and turnovers on both ends of the court.

Junior guard Malik Riddle, who was the Reddies’ leading scorer coming into the game, got some calls for fouling in the first half that hindered his offensive presence. As a team, Henderson found themselves down eight while fouls and turnovers were helping Monticello maintain their lead.

Late in the first half, the Reddies settled in and got a couple momentum drives. They went on a 7-2 run to bring the lead down to two with seven minutes left in the game. Impacted by the offense picking up, the defense intensified down on the other end as well.

Explosive play by senior guard Xavier Davenport tallying to five points allowed HSU to capture a 28-25 lead. Monticello responded with a 10-0 run of their own to go up 42-35 going into halftime as Riddle picked up his third foul.

Rodgers found himself in foul trouble with four fouls just four minutes into the second half as Monticello still held an eight point lead. Free throw opportunities helped Monticello to help extend their lead as they continued to capitalize on Henderson State’s turnover struggles.

As the lead continued to grow, fouls steadily piled up for multiple Reddie players, resulting in UAM’s lead reached 19 with eight minutes left in the game. Junior guard/forward Yuri Swinford and Rogers both fouled out of the game.

The Reddies put up a fight to the end as they did manage to out rebound the Boll Weevils. In the end, HSU’s struggles plagued them and UAM came out on top in Monticelo, 73-57.

HSU will look to bounce back at home on Jan. 30 against Harding University.