Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Harding tied its season highs with 32 turnovers and 31 fouls and still had a chance to upset eighth-ranked Drury on Saturday at Weiser Gym. The Panthers hit four free throws in the final 20 seconds to hold on to a 73-66 victory over the Bisons.
Harding (5-5) is still winless in six meetings against Drury (6-0) in Springfield.
The Bisons had 20 turnovers in the first half, but trailed only 37-31 thanks to a tremendous rebounding effort, especially offensively. Harding converted 11 offensive rebounds into 14 points, but that could not negate the 22 points scored by Drury off turnovers. For the game, Harding out-rebounded Drury 39-26.
Harding cut its turnovers to 12 in the second half, but struggled with foul trouble. The Bisons were already without senior Jesse Bynum, who sat out with an injured back. Matt Hall, Chris Dixon and Kevin Brown all fouled out in the second half. Drury outscored Harding 25-14 at the foul line.
Despite the hurdles, Harding cut what had been as much as a 13-point Drury lead to 66-61 with 2:04 left. Following two missed free throws by Drury's Jamel Grant, the Bisons could have trimmed the lead further, but Hall was called for his fifth foul on a charging call with 1:11 left.
Drury made 3-of-4 free throws on its next two possessions as Harding was forced to foul to stop the clock. Bison sophomore Trent Morgan kept his squad in the game with five straight points, including a three-pointer with 20 seconds left, that cut the Panther advantage to 69-66. Harding got no closer, however as Drury's Steven Gum and Adam White each hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
Hall led four Harding players in double-figure scoring with 15 points. He has led or tied for the team lead in all 10 of the Bisons' games thus far. His 15 points moved him past Carl Brown of Delta State into eighth in career scoring among Gulf South Conference players. Hall also added a season-high 10 rebounds for his 10th career double-double.
Junior Steven Barnett had 14 points and Trent Morgan and Calvin Rayford each added 11 for the Bisons.
Senior forward Collins Harris had a game-high 21 points for Drury.
Harding returns to the Rhodes Field House next Saturday to meet Ecclesia in its final game before the Christmas break.
