Harding Game Notes
SEARCY – Sometimes when things are not going well, it is best to just get away. And where better than Hawai'i?
The Harding men's basketball team is coming off a pair of road losses after winning its first six games at home and will be meeting Northwest Missouri State and St. Edward's at the O'ahu Classic in O'ahu, Hawai'i on Sunday and Monday.
The surroundings may be beautiful, but Harding will have two very tough games. Northwest Missouri State enters the Classic undefeated at 8-0 and ranked 10th in the latest NABC Division II Coaches Poll. The Bisons and Bearcats will tip-off Sunday at 10 p.m. Central Time (6 p.m. local) in McKinley Arena. Due to the limited technology available in the facility, there will be no live stats available.
Harding's Monday game will be a rematch against St. Edward's. The Bisons defeated the Hilltoppers 79-62 in Searcy on Nov. 17. The game begins at 6 p.m. CT (1 p.m. local) at Kalani High School. Live statistics will be available with a link on HardingSports.com.
Harding is 6-2 overall and is off to a 1-2 start in Great American Conference play.
Three-point shooting has been key in the outcome of Harding's games this season. The Bisons have made 38.6 percent of their 3-pointers in their win and 21.9 percent in their losses. Opponents have made 27.3 percent from 3-point range in Harding's wins and 52.9 percent in Bison losses.
The Bisons continue to be led by senior forward Zach Roddenberry, who is averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds. Roddenberry ranks fifth in Division II with a 69.5 field goal percentage. Senior Bradley Spencer, who returned for Harding's last game against Southeastern Oklahoma after missing a game with a sprained ankle, is second on the team with a 13.0 scoring average.
Harding and Northwest Missouri State, a member of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, are meeting for only the second time and the first since a matchup in 1980 at the Evangel Classic in Springfield, Mo. Senior forward Charles Gardner led Harding with 17 points and 11 rebounds in a 75-63 loss.
The Bisons lead the series 5-1 over St. Edward's including the victory earlier this season. Roddenberry led Harding with 30 points and 16 rebounds in that game, and Spencer chipped in 22 points.
Following the Hawai'i trip, Harding will have 13 days off before meeting Christian Brothers on Dec. 30 in Memphis, Tenn.
