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Harding University Athletics

Men's Basketball by Scott Goode

Three-Pointers Lead Harding to Big Victory over Champion Baptist

Sophomore guard Tony Cochran hit four 3-pointers for Harding
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SEARCY – Harding made 12 3-pointers and all 12 Bisons scored in an 85-57 victory over Champion Baptist on Tuesday at Rhodes Field House. It was Harding's final non-conference game before beginning Great American Conference play Saturday in Bethany, Okla., against Southern Nazarene.

Harding (2-1) has won all nine meetings with Champion Baptist since the series began in 2006.

Harding scored the game's first seven points, and senior Nick Mason hit a 3-pointer with 11:54 to give the Bisons a 22-4 advantage. Harding extended the lead to as many as 31 points and led 50-21 at halftime.

"It's always good to get a win," Harding coach Jeff Morgan said. "We did some good things to get us ready for conference play on Saturday."

Harding did not shoot as well in the second half, but Champion Baptist got no closer than 24 points. The Bisons shot 30 percent after halftime but seven of its 11 second-half field goals were 3-pointers.

"We lost our focus a little in the second half," Morgan said. "I told our guys in the huddle to quit looking at the scoreboard and play the game we want to play."

Sophomore Antoine Burrell came off the bench to lead Harding with 13 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds. Sophomore Tony Cochran made 4-of-6 from 3-point range and scored 12 points, and freshman Will Francis added 12 points and four steals.

Harding had an overwhelming rebounding advantage, 52-27, including 20 offensive rebounds. The Bisons outscored the Tigers 22-6 on second-chance points.

Stephen Hurst led all scorers with 18 points for Champion Baptist (1-10).


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