MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team opened up a three-game home stand on Saturday with a 79-71 Great American Conference win over Henderson State.

The Weevils (5-9, 3-5 GAC) traded early baskets with the visitors from Henderson with each team holding brief, slim leads early on.  A pair of three pointers for the Weevils gave them an early 8-4 lead in the first four minutes.

Henderson State (3-10, 2-6 GAC) went on a 9-1 run to open up a 17-14 lead over UAM with eight minutes to go in the first half.  Both teams struggled from the floor and the charity stripe as the teams combined to shoot 3-for-8 from the foul line to begin the game and 13-for-33 from the floor. 
 
UAM missed nine straight shots before Victor Arnick ended the drought on a layup and ensuing foul shot to tie the game at 17 with six minutes left in the half.  He went on to score eight straight as UAM opened up a four-point lead at 23-19 with 4:30 to go in the half.  Richard Benedyth hit a three-pointer with 30 seconds to go to in the half to give UAM a one-point lead of 34-33 at the break.
 
The second half opened up with the Weevils active offensively as Andre Brown hit a pair of layups to give UAM a five-point lead.  The two teams continued to trade blows and neither was able to muster a lead of more than six.  A 19-7 HSU extended run gave the Reddies their largest lead of the game at 54-48 with 10 minutes to go in the game. 
 
Four minutes later, the Weevils capped a 12-2 run to take a lead of 64-60 with four minutes remaining.
 
After trading baskets, Tyler Davis made a driving layup and made the ensuing free throw on the one-and-one opportunity to match the Weevils' largest lead of the game at six, 67-61.  That basket was part of a 25-7 UAM run that lasted nearly nine minutes and allowed the Weevils to pull away late and take a 12-point lead at 73-61.
 
The Weevils finished the night shooting 46 percent from the field (26 for 56), 36 percent on three-pointers (10 for 28) and 68 percent on foul shots (17 for 25).  Victor Arnick led the Weevils in scoring with 24 points and was one of four Weevils in double-figures in scoring, joined by Jamal Peterson with 17, Richard Benedyth with 14, and Andre Brown, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Reddies shot 47 percent from the field (25 for 53), 50 percent on three-pointers (7 for 14), and 61 percent on foul shots (14 for 23). HSU's Kaylon Tappin led all scorers with 32 points.

UAM is back in action on Monday at home against Southern Arkansas. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Steelman Field House.