ADA, Okla. – The Harding men's basketball team suffered a scoring drought that spanned a 10-minute stretch of the second half and fell 75-60 to East Central on Thursday in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.

The loss was Harding's first of the season and dropped the Bisons to 6-1 overall and 1-1 in GAC play. East Central snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in conference.

Harding led 45-38 with 14:09 left in the game but was outscored 24-4 over the next 10 minutes while East Central pulled out to a 62-49 lead. The Bisons were 1-of-8 from the field during that stretch, with a jumper by freshman Andraz Kavas accounting for Harding's only field goal.

East Central out-rebounded Harding 43-24 and had 16 offensive rebounds, including 13 in the first half.

Harding led 33-32 at halftime, but East Central shot 65 percent from the field in the second half, connecting on 13-of-20 shots. The Bisons made only 9-of-27 (33 percent) in the second half and shot 41 percent for the game.

East Central freshman guard Marquis Walters had only 14 points in the Tigers' first seven games, but came off the bench, made 5-of-7 3-pointers, and led all players with 17 points.

Harding junior Hayden Johnson led the Bisons with 16 points. Senior Zach Roddenberry added 13 points, 11 in the first half, and junior Weston Jameson scored 10 points.

Harding will return to action Saturday at Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. from Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium.