TULSA, Okla. —
Daivion Boleware's big debut was not enough, as RSU men's basketball (0-1) fell to Henderson St. (2-0), 76-64, in the season opener at the Tulsa Tip-Off Classic on Friday at Union Multipurpose.
RSU led 32-30 at halftime before the Reddies outscored the Hillcats 46-32 in the second half. The Reddies used an 11-0 run in the second half to move from a 41-36 deficit to a 47-41 lead, and the Hillcats finished 18-for-51 from the field and 3-for-19 from 3-point range.
The Hillcats erased a 25-14 deficit in the final eight minutes and went into halftime ahead 32-30, with
Matt Mowers tying the game on a 3-pointer at 1:21 and
Damondre McKnight making two free throws with four seconds left. Earlier, Boleware opened RSU's scoring off a
Stephon Thomas assist,
Tim Jordan Jr. added an early jumper, and the Hillcats stayed close through defensive rebounds and blocks from Thomas and
Bromo Dorn. The Reddies built their largest verified cushion with paint scoring and transition baskets, but RSU answered through the foul line and late shot-making, including Boleware's 3-pointer at 6:37, Mowers' layup at 4:47 and
Aydan Perdue's fast-break layup at 2:38. The Hillcats shot 12 of 14 at the free-throw line in the half and held a 19-16 edge in defensive rebounds, helping offset the Reddies' 20 points in the paint and eight offensive boards.
The Hillcats could not hold their early second-half push, as the Reddies used an 11-0 run to turn a 41-36 RSU lead into a 47-41 deficit by 13:02. Earlier in the half,
Drew Lewis scored twice inside, and Boleware and Mowers added baskets as RSU moved in front.
Tim Jordan Jr. made two free throws at 12:39, Thomas followed a steal with two free throws at 11:35, and Boleware's layup and free throw at 10:29 kept the Hillcats within 52-48. The Reddies pushed the margin back to 60-53 by 6:55, but Boleware continued to produce points for RSU with free throws and late baskets before Jordan Jr. hit a 3-pointer off McKnight's assist with 50 seconds left. The Hillcats went 9-for-24 from the field and 13-for-20 at the line in the half, while the Reddies shot 15-for-26 and closed out a 76-64 final.
Boleware led RSU with 23 points, going 7 of 10 from the floor and adding seven rebounds. McKnight recorded six assists, six made free throws and two steals.
Tim Jordan Jr. finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Lewis collected seven rebounds and added seven points.
Kaylon Mason scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and made three 3-pointers. Zaveion Okoh added 14 points and converted six free throws. Rondae Hill finished with nine points, six assists, three steals and four rebounds. Tyson Whybrew collected six rebounds, including five offensive boards, and scored six points.
The Hillcats will return to action tomorrow at 5 p.m. against the Texas A&M-Kingsville.
