Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Harding senior guard Stephen Blake hit a running three-pointer to keep the Bisons close against Southern Arkansas as the halftime buzzer sounded. In the second half, Blake hit three-pointers from all over the court and led Harding to a 72-58 victory on Thursday at the Watson Athletic Center.

The victory gave Harding a 12-2 record overall and its first 2-0 start in Gulf South Conference play since 2008. It was also the 300th victory for Harding coach Jeff Morgan as the Bisons' head coach.

“We had a great spirit of togetherness tonight,” Morgan said. “We finished some plays in the second half and really kept our composure.”

As the seconds ticked down to end the first half, Blake fired up a three-pointer from 35-feet to cut the Southern Arkansas advantage to 29-27 at the break.

In the second half Blake made five more three-pointers and finished with a career-high tying 25 points. Sophomore Bradley Spencer set a new career mark with 21 points, 12 coming in the first half.

Southern Arkansas led 35-34 with 16:23 left in the game. Then Harding got hot from the field. A Blake three-pointer jumpstarted a 10-0 Harding run. Kevin Brown, who had 15 points, scored four during the run, and Spencer added a three-pointer.

Harding never trailed the rest of the game and led by as many as 17 in the second half. The Bisons had nine three-pointers in the game, seven coming after the break.

Channin Harden, a senior and the leading scorer in the GSC West Division, led Southern Arkansas with 12 points.

Harding will be back in action Saturday as it hosts Delta State at the Rhodes Field House. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.