Box Score

SEARCY - Harding University junior guard Trent Morgan scored a career-high 22 points and the Bisons limited Incarnate Word to only 38 percent shooting in an 81-74 victory over the Cardinals on Saturday at the Rhodes Field House. It was Harding's second home victory in three days.

Harding (2-1) led 43-33 at halftime and extended the lead to as many as 14 points, 58-44, on a three-pointer by Matt Garner with 12:29 left. Incarnate Word (2-1) rallied late and cut the lead to only two points with 6:22 remaining. Morgan then took over for the Bisons, scoring his team's next nine points. His run began with a pair of three-pointers and ended with two free throws that left Harding ahead 73-64 with 4:09 on the clock. The Bisons led by four points or more the rest of the way.

Morgan, who had 21 points on four previous occasions, shot 7-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. He also made 6-of-8 free throws and tied a career high with seven rebounds. Barnett had 17 points. Sophomore Sam Brown scored 11, all in the first half, and redshirt freshman Kirk Porter came off the bench to score 10.

Incarnate Word was led by preseason All-America honoree Pierce Caldwell, who had 21 points. Caldwell had connected on six three-pointers in each of the Cardinals' first two games, but with Morgan in his face for much of the night, shot only 3-of-11 from long range Saturday.

Despite a noticeable size deficit, Harding outrebounded Incarnate Word 42-31. Morgan's seven rebounds were the most by any player.

Harding plays again Monday at Alabama-Huntsville. Tipoff at Spragins Hall in Huntsville is at 7:30 p.m.