Box Score
FLORENCE, ALA. – North Alabama center Esmir Guzonjic scored 22 points to lead the Lions to a 79-68 victory over Harding on Thursday at Flowers Hall. The win came only five days after Harding defeated North Alabama 103-96 in overtime in Searcy.
Harding (6-2) had its five-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time in five meetings with North Alabama (4-5). The Bisons committed a season-high 25 turnovers in the game.
Harding opened an early 30-13 lead with 5:29 remaining in the first half, but made only one field goal the rest of the first half and clung to a 32-29 advantage at the break.
After shooting only 31 percent from the field in the first half, North Alabama shot 16-of-27 (59 percent) in the second half and outscored Harding 50-36.
Harding made 13 three-pointers in the game, led by senior Cole Kee’s four. Kee finished with 13 points. Patrick Andrepont had a team-high 14 points for the Bisons.
Harding attempted 30 three-pointers, but only three free throws. Kee made the Bisons’ only free throw with 10:27 left in the game. North Alabama committed only 11 fouls. Through the season’s first eight games, Harding has attempted over 100 more three-pointers than free throws.
Harding meets another Gulf South Conference East Division opponent Saturday when the Bisons take on Alabama-Huntsville. HU defeated the Chargers 68-55 in Searcy on Nov. 27.
