Henderson Oracle

Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sports Information I'm so excited - Head basketball coac Sam Weaver has had a tough season with his very young team, winning only 3 of 21 games.

Henderson State was unable to hang on to a first half lead, and lost to Southern Arkansas by a score of 84-78.

"They had guys step up and hit shots they hadn't hit all year long," said head coach Sam Weaver, referring to Southern Arkansas' unreal 61 percent shooting from the field in the second half, including 71 percent behind the arc.

The loss brings the Reddies to 3-19, 1-9 in conference play and extends their losing streak to nine games.

Tray Allison and Kyle Oldham paced the Reddies with 15 points each.

Charles Moore, who scored 23 points in the win, led SAU.

The Reddies played exceptional basketball in the first half, taking an early lead that they did not surrender until the 4:57 mark.

Lucas Whisenhunt and Julian Bassett provided physical post defense, giving up no easy baskets.

Perimeter points were also hard to come by as Martin Mitchell and Allison harassed SAU's guards into 1-6 shooting from behind the three-point line.

The Reddies stretched their lead to eight on a three-point field goal by Jonathan Simms, and after a Tony James layup gave the visitors a one-point lead, Henderson responded with a 9-3 mini-run to take a five-point lead into the locker room.

Perhaps it was a great halftime speech, the shooting on a different rim or maybe the Gatorade was extra refreshing, but whatever it was it caused to Muleriders to shoot the lights out in the second half.

Senior forward Moore opened the second half with a three from the top of the key.

This would become a common sight as he buried three more uncontested shots from downtown, all coming from the same spot.

About his team's defensive strategy, Weaver said, "It's my fault, but that guy only hit 8 threes all year, but went 5-7 against us. That's a pretty good night."

Moore needed the vindication after having a layup attempt literally pinned against the backboard by Sean Romey.

Romey finished the game with seven points, six rebounds and two blocks.

However, even Romey's block could not cool down the Muleriders, who made five shots from behind the arc in the second half.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools