Box Score
HONOLULU, HI – Harding trailed by eight with just over a minute left, but missed a potential game-tying layup at the buzzer and fell 67-65 to Hawaii Pacific on Wednesday in the final game of the Hoop ‘N Surf Classic. The Bisons lost both of their games in the Classic by a combined five points.
Junior forward Matt Hall, who was named to the All-Tournament team, started the Harding (6-6) comeback by connecting on two free throws with 1:07 left to trim the Hawaii Pacific (6-4) lead to 66-60. Following a Sea Warrior turnover, Hall drilled a three-pointer with 0:26 remaining to cut it to three.
The Bisons were forced to foul and Hawaii Pacific’s Patrick Towne, who led the Sea Warriors with 16 points, made only the second of two free throws. Brandon Sims’ put-back layup with 0:09 remaining cut Harding’s deficit to 67-65. Sims was fouled on the play but missed the ensuing free throw and Harding fouled again. Kamron Alborz missed both free throws with 0:07 left, and Harding’s Patrick Andrepont came down with the rebound. Steven Barnett’s layup missed as time expired.
Hall led the Bisons with 25 points, 19 of them coming in the second half. He shot 9-of-16 from the field and made all six free throws. Andrepont added 15 points and set a season high with 10 rebounds. Sims also had a season-high 10 rebounds, and Harding held a 42-28 advantage on the boards.
The loss was Harding’s fifth straight, its longest streak since dropping seven consecutive in 1994. The Bisons last three losses came by three points or less.
Harding is off until Jan. 4 when they host Central Baptist in a non-conference tune-up. The Bisons begin Gulf South Conference play on Jan. 6 when they meet Arkansas-Monticello on the road.
