The East Central University men's basketball team will wrap up a four-game road trip to start the 2014-15 season when they stop in Arkadelphia, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 22 for a 3 p.m. game at Duke Wells Center.

Game Notes

The Broadcast
ECU's radio home for Tigers basketball in 2012-13 is Ada's KXFC, 105.5, FM 'The X-Factor'. Kenny Morrison returns to broadcast the games for his 18th season. Morrison, a 1987 ECU graduate, spent two seasons doing color prior to taking over the play-by-play duties during the 1997-98 season.  

The Coverage
Fans who can't be at the game can find links to live stats, live video (if available) and the KXFC radio broadcast on ECUTigers.com.  Go to the men's basketball schedule page. Fans can listen to the radio broadcast online or through the FREE KXFC App available in ITunes, Google Stores where apps are sold and www.kxfcradio.com.

Scouting Henderson State
The Reddies are 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Great American Conference after winning their last two games.  HSU started the league season with a 75-48 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on their home court.  The Reddies have a +7.3 scoring and a +1.3 rebounding margin on the year, but are averaging just 66.3 points and allowing 59.0 points per game.  One of the keys to HSU winning is at the charity stripe, as they are averaging 13.3 free throws per game and only allowing 9.3.

The Reddies have three players that are averaging over 10 points per game.  Reggie Murphy is the team's offensive leader with 16.3 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per outing, while shooting .625 (20-of-32) from the field.  Kevin Kozan adds 12.3 points per game and Taylor Smith nets 11.5 per outing.

Against the Reddies
In 2013-14, HSU earned two wins in the series by an average of 13.5 points per game.  Sophomore A.J. Moutry is the top returner for the Tigers, with 8.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.  Senior Henry Pwono added 7.5 points and 5.5 boards per game.

Taylor Smith is the top returner for the Reddies, with 13.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.  Smith shot .471 from the field and .400 from beyond the arc.

The Series
HSU has done a good job in the all-time series, winning the last six games to currently hold a 10-6 lead.  
 
Revealing Reeves
Redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves might not have played in the 2013-14 season, but he has stepped right back into his game in 2014-15.  Against Arkansas-Monticello, Reeves tallied a career-best 22 points, while shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Pwono Player of the Week
After finishing the 2013-14 season as the GAC Player of the Week, senior Henry Pwono has become the first GAC Player of the Week for the 2014-15 season.  At the GAC/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Challenge, Pwono averaged 20.5 points and 11 rebounds. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the victory against Wayne State College. He converted on 14-of-18 from the floor, including an 11-of-14 performance against the Wildcats.

Solid Stirling
Junior Stirling Thomas proved that he was a good addition to the Tigers squad as he came out and averaged 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the first two outings of the 2014-15 season.  Thomas shot .441 (15-of-34) from the field, .455 (5-of-11) from beyond the arc and .889 (8-of-9) from the charity stripe, while adding four assists and four steals.

Turning Out for the Exhibition
The Tigers had a strong showing at their exhibition game at Oral Roberts, falling by just seven points (68-75).  ECU led for most of the game and took a 38-33 lead into the locker room at the half.  The Tigers were led by junior Stirling Thomas, with 25 points and five rebounds, while senior Henry Pwono tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds.  The duo were two of four players with double-digit point totals, with redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves adding 15 and senior Brandon Lucas 10.

Returning Power
While most, including the ECU coaching staff, expected to lose senior Henry Pwono at the end of the 2013-14 season that is not the case.  Pwono had a redshirt available from his season at Seaton Hill and it was approved by the NCAA, so Pwono will be back on the court for the Tigers after averaging 11.9 points and 6.6 boards per game a year ago.  Pwono ended the season with three-straight games where he recorded over 20 points.

Making a Difference Off the Court
On the court is not the only place that you can find a member of ECU men's basketball team.  Since head coach Ja Havens has taken over the program the Tigers have renewed their commitment to community service.  ECU has been a part of several community service projects already this school year, with an emphasis on youth events.  The Tigers have been to several elementary and middle schools in the area to read with the students and to get to know their younger fans.

Up Next at the Kerr Activities Center
The first home game of the 2014-15 season will be Nov. 25 when the Tigers welcome non-conference foe Rogers State for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.  The game will be a double-header with the women's team, who faces Cameron that day at 5;30 p.m.