By: Houston Taylor, SID
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Freshman center Kmaria Hobbs hit all seven of her eight free throws in the final two minutes to lead Southern Arkansas to a thrilling 83-77 comeback win over Henderson State (7-8, 1-2 GSC) Saturday at W.T. Watson Athletic Center. The win gave the Lady Muleriders (7-9, 1-2 GSC) their first Gulf South Conference win of the season.
The Lady Reddies didn’t have an answer for Hobbs down the stretch as she connected on her first two free throws to give the game its 10th tie at 77-77 with 1:48 left. She pulled down three rebounds off five missed HSU shots during the span, drawing a foul each time and knocking down her next 5 of 6 from the line to finish with 23 points on the night. Junior forward Shardae Thompson helped seal the win going 1 of 2 at the stripe over the same span and also posting 23 points.
Trenia Barbee’s lay-up gave Henderson State a 27-17 advantage at 6:13 in the first, but the Lady Muleriders came roaring back to tie it 29-29 on senior guard Shanaye Davis’ free throw at 3:51. Davis then hit two more at the line to push SAU ahead, before both teams butted heads the rest of the way for a 40-40 score at the break.
The Lady Reddies used a 14-5 start in the second half for a 54-45 lead on Barbee’s lay-up at 17 minutes. Southern Arkansas battled back to tie it 68-68 on Thompson’s two freebies at 7:52, at 70-70 on a Hobbs’ lay-up at 6:07, and again on Hobbs’ free throws at 1:48, before finally taking their first lead in the half on two more Hobbs’ free throws with 52 ticks left.
Hobbs hit 8 of 10 from the floor to go along with her free throws in tallying her 23 points, and also pulled down nine rebounds. 
Thompson was 7 of 9 shooting, including hitting all three of her attempts beyond the arc, and hit 6 of 7 free throws for her 23. She also had five rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot, and two steals.
The Lady Muleriders held HSU to 38.7 percent shooting on 29 of 75 from the field, while SAU was 28 of 63 (44.4). Southern Arkansas managed just 3 of 13 (23.1) on treys, all coming from Thompson, but made up for it in hitting 24 of 33 (72.7) free throws. Henderson State knocked down 10 of 22 (45.5) treys and 9 of 17 (52.9) at the stripe.
Junior center Crystal Kirk came off the bench to record 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Muleriders, and Davis posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. All-conference guard Goldie White was held to 10 points below her average in scoring eight, but she pulled down eight rebounds, tossed out five assists, and had 
two steals. White’s first two points of the night moved her to eighth all-time in career scoring at SAU. She now has 1,171 points, needing 24 to move to seventh.
Chanlee Bottoms led all scorers with 25 points in pacing the Lady Reddies. Barbee had 14 points and five rebounds, and Asaiah Lowe chipped in 12 points and pulled down five boards.
SAU hit the glass hard, posting a 51-39 rebound advantage, and had 18 turnovers to HSU’s 15.
Southern Arkansas is back in action Thursday, hosting Delta State in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
Photos by Bill Neilsen
