ARKADELPHIA -- Opening the game on a 20-4 run, Henderson State's women's basketball team made quick work of visiting Arkansas Tech Thursday night.
The Reddies stretched their lead to 36-16 at the half before coasting to a 75-52 win at the Duke Wells Center. Henderson State improved to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the Great American Conference with its eighth win in the last nine games.
Arkansas Tech (9-2, 5-2) scored the game's first four points, but the momentum was short lived. Henderson State sophomores Haleigh Henson and Pink Jones combined for 11 points as the Reddies closed the first quarter on a 20-0 run to take a commanding lead.
A layup from Lyrik Williams pulled the Golden Suns within 23-9 with 7:44 remaining in the second quarter, but Henderson State pushed its lead back to 22 points before settling with a 36-16 advantage at the half.
Arkansas Tech showed signs of life to open the second half, outscoring the Reddies 20-14 in the third quarter, but failing to trim the gap to less than double digits.
Two free throws by Jones capped a 12-2 run that gave Henderson State a commanding 68-41 lead with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jacie Higgins scored six of Arkansas Tech's last nine points, setting the final margin with a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Jones stuffed the stat sheet with a career-high 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes of action. Henson finished with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, while sophomore Hailey Estes recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior Bree Bossier, junior Brittany Branum and junior Torrie Thompson each scored six points for the Reddies.
Williams led the Golden Suns with 13 points, while Higgins chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and two assists. Cheyenne North had seven points, and led Arkansas Tech in rebounds (nine) and assists (four).
Henderson State travels to the University of Arkansas at Monticello at 2 p.m. today, while the Golden Suns host Southern Arkansas at 1 p.m. today at Tucker Coliseum.
Sports on 01/13/2018