Harding Game Notes
SEARCY – Harding men's basketball goes in search of its second six-game winning streak of the season Thursday as the Bisons take on Southern Arkansas in Great American Conference play. Tip-off at Watson Athletic Center in Magnolia, Ark., is at 7:30 p.m.
Harding (12-3, 5-2) has won five straight, including four in GAC play, and has moved into a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference standings. The Bisons are tied with Arkansas Tech and Southwestern Oklahoma State for the conference lead. A victory over Southern Arkansas would tie Harding's longest conference winning streak in its two seasons in the GAC.
Harding made 11 3-pointers and overcame a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Ouachita Baptist 83-78 on Saturday in Searcy. It was the Bisons' ninth straight home victory to open the season. Senior Bradley Spencer led Harding with 19 points, his highest scoring output since notching 22 points against Christian Brothers on Nov. 26.
Southern Arkansas (6-7, 2-5) has lost four of its last five, including three straight in GAC play. The Muleriders' lone win since Christmas was an 86-56 home victory over non-NCAA opponent Champion Baptist. Southern Arkansas' lone wins over Division II teams were back-to-back home victories over Ouachita Baptist (66-54) and Henderson State (82-72) in early December.
Southern Arkansas' leading scorer is junior Nigel Jones, a 6-6 swingman from Wadley, Ala., who transferred from Southern Union State Community College in Alabama. Jones averages 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds and shoots 52.6 percent from the field.
Though Southern Arkansas leads the all-time series against Harding 68-44, the Bisons have controlled the series recently. Harding has won 17 of 20 meetings since 2003 and has won the last five straight. Last season, the Bisons won 90-76 in Searcy and 74-57 in Magnolia. Harding senior Zach Roddenberry averaged 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds and shot 83.3 percent (15-of-18) from the field in those two games.
Thursday's game will air live in Searcy on KVHU-95.3 FM with Billy Morgan and Scott Goode on the call. Live statistics will also be available on HardingSports.com courtesy of a link provided by Southern Arkansas sports information.
