SEARCY – Harding men's basketball had its second-best shooting percentage in program history but it was a defensive play that sealed a 79-76 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday at Rhodes Field House.

With Harding leading 77-76 and less than 10 seconds remaining, Bison sophomore Hayden Johnson blocked the potential game-winning shot by the Bulldog's Jordan Franz. Harding corralled the rebound and with 2.3 seconds left, Bradley Spencer made two free throws as the Bisons won their fifth straight and remained in the hunt for the Great American Conference regular season title.

Harding (13-8, 8-3) is third in the GAC standings, still behind Henderson State (10-2) and Arkansas Tech (9-2), both of whom also won Saturday.

The Bisons shot 66.7 percent from the field, their best percentage in 11 years. Harding shot 70.2 percent to set the school record against Christian Brothers in 2001.

In the first half, Harding made 16-of-23 shots (69.6 percent) and led 47-41 at halftime. The Bisons had just 13 field goal attempts in the second half, but went to the free throw line 24 times, making 15.

Southwestern Oklahoma shot 44 percent but made eight 3-pointers and 16-of-22 free throws (73 percent).

The Bisons had four players with 10 or more points. Spencer led Harding with 20, hitting 10-of-12 free throws, and added team highs with nine rebounds and five assists. Junior Zach Roddenberry made 5-of-6 from the field and scored 18 points. Johnson made 7-of-7 from the field and had 17, and junior DeAntra Scott was a perfect 5-of-5 and had 13.

Thomas Davis led Southwestern Oklahoma with 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Bisons are now 6-0 at home in conference games and conclude their current three-game home stand Thursday against Ouachita Baptist. Tip-off at Rhodes is at 7:30 p.m.