Conway, Ark.- In what turned out to be a thrilling contest, the Hendrix Warriors hosted the University of Ozarks Eagles for their home opener at Grove Gymnasium, and what an opening game it was. 

The Warriors were the first to put points on the board, thanks to a jumper by Tyler Deithloff, but Ozarks would answer right back, which seemed to be the theme of the night. It was a back and forth affair for majority of the first half, with the largest lead being 10 points for the Eagles with 5 minutes left in the first half. After one, the Eagles led by a score of 42-34. 

Coming out of the half, the Warriors went on a small 10-6 to open the second half, but as with the theme of the night, the Ozarks would come back with a 10-4 run. With just under 9 minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles had the largest lead of the night, leading by 13, but the Warriors would come surging back to cut the deficit to 3 with 4:46 remaining in the game. With 2:11 remaining, the Warriors would cut the Eagles lead to 1, thanks to a crucial paint score by the big man Colten Berry, but that would be the closest the Warriors came. The Eagles would take a three point lead with 38 seconds remaining. Hope wasn't fully lost for the Warriors, as a missed three pointer by the Warriors would be rebounded by Jonathon Ryan and one last chance to tie it by Deithloff would miss the mark. The Eagles held on to victory by a final score of 71-66. 

Colten Berry lead the Warriors in scoring with 15 points, adding in 6 rebounds. 

Caleb Squires posted 14 points and added two steals. 

Tyler Deithloff had a Swiss Army Knife performance, scoring 13 points and adding a team high 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Jonathan Ryan had a big night coming off the bench, posting 8 points and adding 5 rebounds. 

The Warriors are back in action this Friday night, as they travel crosstown to take on the UCA Bears in an exhibition matchup. The action is slated to start at 6:30 PM and can be found on ESPN+.