SEARCY –  Junior forward DeAntra Scott scored 20 points and Harding shot 53 percent from the field in defeating East Central 83-61 in Great American Conference play at Rhodes Field House.

Harding (12-8, 7-3) won its sixth straight home game, including five straight in conference play. East Central (4-17, 1-10) lost its seventh straight conference road game.

The Bisons shot 59 percent in the first half and held a commanding 45-28 lead at halftime. The Tigers had more turnovers (10) than field goals (9) in the first half.

Harding led by as many as 26 points in the second half.

Scott had his second 20-point game of the season and first since scoring 24 against ULM in the second game of the season. He connected on 8-of-12 shots, including two 3-pointers, and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.

Harding senior Kirk Porter came off the bench to score 15 points, and junior Zach Roddenberry had 11.

East Central became the first of Harding's last six opponents to shoot over 40 percent. The Tigers shot 41 percent overall but made only 3-of-17 from 3-point range. Caprest Rhone led East Central with 14 points, and Hayden Darst had 13.

Harding entered the game in third in the GAC and will remain there after Henderson State and Arkansas Tech, the two teams ahead of the Bisons, both won.

Harding will play the second of three straight home games Saturday against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The game begins at 4 p.m. at Rhodes Field House.