Big fourth quarter pushes Reddies past Rogers State

ARKADELPHIA — Entering the fourth quarter with an 11-point deficit, Henderson State was able to put together a magnificent finish, outscoring Rogers State 22-10 in the final frame to secure the 55-52 win in the Reddies’ final game of 2017.

Henderson held a 25-23 lead at the break, but the Hillcats took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Reddies 19-8 to put the home team in the hole.

The Reddies were unphased by the deficit, starting the final period with a 13-0 run, highlighted by 3-pointers from Lani Snowden, Torrie Thompson and Hailey Estes, to take a 46-42 lead with 4:05 remaining.

A Hillcat trey cut the lead to one seconds later, but both teams fell into a slump, going two minutes without a single basket, before Estes found Thompson with seconds left on the shot clock to move Henderson’s buffer back to 48-45.

Rogers State missed a shot from distance, and a foul led to two clutch free throws from Snowden with 40 seconds left to play.

The Hillcats made the final moments of the game interesting, cutting the lead to just two points twice, but Henderson’s Haleigh Henson hit three big shots from the charity stripe in the final 20 seconds to help the Reddies escape with the victory.

Thompson paced the Reddies with 15 points, hitting 6 of 8 from the line, while Henson added 13 with seven assists. Estes and Bree Bossier each put up nine points, Estes tacking on four steals.

Henderson shot 19 free throws to the Hillcats’ four and outrebounded RSU 55-52, forcing 21 turnover compared to 14 of its own. The Hillcats struggled in the decisive fourth frame, hitting on 28.6 percent of their shots for 10 points.

The Reddies move to 6-4 on the season with the win, closing out their non-conference schedule.

Henderson returns to the court on Jan. 4, traveling to Ada, Okla., to face East Central in a 5:30 p.m. matchup. The Reddies return home Jan. 11 for a 5:30 tipoff against Arkansas Tech.