Tweet #theGAC  BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Henderson State never trailed in its 74-62 victory against Southern Arkansas in Friday’s opening Great American Conference Men’s Basketball Championship quarterfinal from Bruin Fieldhouse.
 
The Reddies (19-10) scored 16 of the game’s first 18 points. The Reddies made four 3-pointers during the run including a pair from Josh Jones.  Their first-half lead never dipped below nine points. Jones hit 3-of-4 shots in the half as he scored 10 points in the opening period.
 
Henderson State extended the lead throughout the opening 13 minutes of the second half. They built a 20-point lead with 7:03 left before the Muleriders (19-10) mustered a comeback effort. They scored 17 of the subsequent 19 points to close to within five points, 65-60. Off the bench Aaron Lucas scored all eight of his points during the SAU burst, including a pair of 3-pointers.
 
The Reddies quelled the Mulerider comeback as they made 5-of-6 free throws in the final two minutes. They secured their first win at the GAC Championships since defeating SAU in semifinals exactly five years ago as part of the 2014 Championships.
 
Chris Parker led all scorers with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Jones finished with 16 points. The Reddies totaled 17 assists against only eight turnovers. Mike Fofana accounted for six assists and Parker added five.
 
Draylan Perkins made four 3-pointers as part of his 18-point effort for the Muleriders. All-GAC First Team selection DeVante Brooks notched his seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
 
With the win, the Reddies advances to the GAC semifinals to face defending champion Southern Nazarene in Saturday’s opening men’s semifinal, set to tip off at 5:45 p.m. start. During the regular season, the Reddies dropped both contests. Southern Nazarene has won five straight in the series.