SEARCY – Harding will take on its third Gulf South Conference East Division opponent of the season Tuesday, and for the third time, the Bisons will be on the road. Harding will meet North Alabama at 6 p.m. at Flowers Hall in Florence. The Bisons won the other two meetings with GSC East foes, defeating both West Georgia and West Alabama.
ON THE WEB: Live audio and live statistics will be available for the game on HardingSports.com. The links are available below the game on the calendar on the front page.
HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTERS
NOTES ON THE HARDING-NORTH ALABAMA GAME
Harding enters the game with a 7-1 record after defeating Central Baptist 69-54. It was the Bisons' eighth straight victory at Rhodes Field House dating to last season, and it was the eighth straight victory in the series with Central Baptist.
Harding shot below 40 percent against Central Baptist for only the second time this season, but overcame the poor shooting with a season-low 13 turnovers and a season-high 15 steals on defense. The Bisons also held the Mustangs to under 40 percent shooting, its fourth straight game holding the opponent below 40 percent.
The Bisons won the rebound battle over the Mustangs, 45-38. Harding has now outrebounded every opponent this season. Harding has a +9.6 rebound margin. Kevin Brown (6.6) and Bradley Spencer (6.5) lead the Bisons in rebounding.
North Alabama, a charter member of the Gulf South Conference, enters the game with a 3-6 overall record, but all three of the Lions' victories have come against GSC West Division teams. North Alabama has wins over Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist and Delta State and a loss to Christian Brothers in cross-over play.
UNA is coming off an 80-55 loss at home to Christian Brothers. North Alabama shot only 38 percent in the game, while Christian Brothers shot 60 percent. Ricky Davison led North Alabama with 19 points, making four of the Lions' six three-pointers.
North Alabama has five different players averaging more than 10 points, led by Beaumont Beasley with 12.4 points per game.
Harding is coached by Jeff Morgan, in his 18th season as head coach of the Bisons. He has a 296-194 record. Bobby Champagne is in his eighth season as head coach at North Alabama and has a 120-96 record.
Senior Kevin Brown ranks second at Harding in career blocked shots with 104. He is just three blocks behind Harding's career leader Brent Adams, who had 106 from 1994-99. Brown is also eighth in career steals with 129. He needs 17 more to reach Tim Smallwood (1984-88) for seventh at 146.
