Box Score
SEARCY – Harding senior Lonnie Smith shot 14-of-16 from the field and scored a career-high 37 points to lead the Bisons to a 109-80 win over Central Baptist, Thursday night at the Rhodes Field House. The win extended Harding’s winning streak to six games and completed a perfect 5-0 homestand.
Junior center Alassane Savadogo also set career highs for the Bisons with 13 points and 18 rebounds.
Harding (7-1) used a 16-0 run over three minutes early in the first half to jump out to a 22-4 lead. The Bisons continued to build on their lead and took a 53-22 lead into the break. Smith had 21 points at halftime and Savadogo equaled Central Baptist’s rebound total with 14.
Central Baptist (6-6) only got within 21 points in the second half.
Smith’s 87.5 shooting percentage set single-game school record with 15 or more attempts. His scoring total ranked eighth all-time and was the most since Matt Hall had 37 last season against Delta State. Hall, who tore his ACL in the season opener, had successful knee surgery Thursday and should be back next season.
Harding shot 12-of-25 (48%) from three-point range, its fourth straight game with 10 or more three-pointers.
The Bisons also outrebounded Central Baptist 56-32, its largest margin since a 24-board advantage over Arkansas Baptist in last season’s opener. It was the most total rebounds since Harding pulled down 61 against Philander Smith in 2002.
Lamar Eslinger led Central Baptist with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Robert Davis had 23 points for CBC.
Harding plays its final game before the Christmas break Saturday when it travels to Natchitoches, La., to meet NCAA Division 1 foe Northwestern State.
