SEARCY – Harding senior Zach Roddenberry scored 30 points and had a career-high 16 rebounds to lead the Bisons to a 79-62 victory over St. Edward's on Saturday in non-conference men's basketball action at Rhodes Field House.

Harding improved to 2-0 and will play the third game of a six-game home stand to open the season Tuesday at 2 p.m., against Champion Baptist.

The Bisons led 48-28 at halftime and pulled out to a 24-point lead early in the second half. St. Edward's (3-2) went on an 11-0 run midway through the half and cut the Harding lead to 60-51 with 9:03 left.

Harding went down low to Roddenberry on the next two possessions, and he delivered with consecutive layups. The Bisons led by at least eight the rest of the way.

Roddenberry made 12-of-17 shots, including an early 3-pointer, and connected on 5-of-7 free throws. It was the second 30-point game of his career.

Bison senior Bradley Spencer added 22 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Harding outscored St. Edward's by 18 points over the first eight minutes of the game, and the Bisons led 21-3 after freshman Andraz Kavas' layup with 12:43 left. Roddenberry scored 11 of Harding's first 21 points and had 15 at halftime.

St. Edwards missed 11 of its first 12 field goal attempts and shot only 34 percent in the first half. The Hilltoppers made 17 3-pointers in victory over the Bisons last season, but made only 7-of-31 (23 percent) Saturday.

Shimeek Johnson led the Hilltoppers with 14 points.