Box Score
SEARCY – Patrick Andrepont and Lonnie Smith each scored 19 points as Harding avenged its only loss of the season with a 71-65 defeat of Alabama-Huntsville, Tuesday at the Rhodes Field House.
Alabama-Huntsville (6-1) entered the game undefeated, including a 64-52 win over the Bisons in Huntsville on Nov. 21. Harding improved to 3-1.
After falling behind 7-0 to start the game, Harding went on a 17-2 run over the seven minutes and held a 17-9 lead at the 10:48 mark. The Bisons extended the lead to 11 points at halftime when Brandon Sims drilled a 25-foot three-pointer to end the period and give Harding a 39-28 advantage.
The Bison lead was as many as 14 in the second half, but a three-pointer by Casey Stafford, his fifth of the game, cut the lead to 68-65 with 35 seconds left. Following a UAH foul, Harding’s Jacob Thies hit two free throws to ice the victory.
The Bisons entered the game shooting only 44% from the foul line but connected on 22-of-30 (73%) against the Chargers. UAH hit only 7-of-16 (44%) free throws.
Harding shot only 39% from the field, including 32% in the second half. The Bisons were able to maintain their lead by outscoring UAH 13-3 from the foul line after the break.
Andrepont, who has scored in double figures in every game this season, shot 7-of-11 from the field, hitting all three of his three-pointers.
Smith made only 1-of-6 from three-point range, but it made him only the 11th Bison with 100 career three-pointers.
Stafford and Jason Smith each had 20 points to lead the Chargers.
Harding plays the second of five straight games at the Rhodes Field House on Friday. The Bisons and Philander Smith tip-off at 8 p.m.
