ARKADELPHIA -- The Henderson State men's basketball team rallied in the second half Saturday, but fell short 81-79 to Oklahoma Baptist at the Duke Wells Center.
Trailing 79-76 with 1:26 remaining in overtime, Kaylon Tappin, of Little Rock, cut the deficit to a single point having a driving layup with 1:02 to play. The Bison pushed the lead back to three points on a layup by Chandler Rickey with 33 seconds remaining. Tappin then knocked down one of two free throws before Eric Dailey fouled Vladimir Nemcok with seven seconds remaining.
Nemcok missed the front end of a one-and-one with D.J. Franklin, of Monticello, pulling down the rebound. However, the Reddies were unable to get off a shot.
Henderson overcame a six-point deficit with 2:37 left in regulation with Josh Jones, a Richmond transfer from Memphis, Tenn., starting the run with a layup followed by a layup by Tappin. The senior proceeded to knock down four straight free throws to put Henderson on top 71-69 with 38 seconds left in regulation.
On Oklahoma Baptist's next possession, the Bison got three offensive attempts with Rickey connecting on a 3-point field goal with 10 seconds remaining to put the visitors on top 72-71.
Henderson quickly moved the ball down the floor and Tappin was fouled with one second remaining. After missing the first free throw, Tappin knocked down his second attempt to send the game into the extra frame.
Henderson (3-4 overall, 1-3 in the GAC) had troubles offensively in the first-half as the Reddies made just 29 percent of their shots, 11-for-38, which led to Oklahoma Baptist having a 37-30 lead at the break.
Tappin finished the contest with a game-high 32 points while Jones had 15 points. Brad Nairn, from Nassau, Bahamas, added 13 points while Tanner Hamilton, of Texarkana, Ark., scored 10.
The Reddies finished the game shooting 41 percent from the field, 29-for-71, but had difficulties from the perimeter converting on just 6 of 27 shots from 3-point range. Oklahoma Baptist finished with a 48.5 shooting percentage, 33-for-68, but made 12 of 31 treys.
Henderson will next play host to Dallas Christian on Wednesday with tip-off set for 7 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.
Sports on 12/04/2017