RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Harding men's basketball team snapped a brief two-game skid in a big way Friday with a 74-70 victory over sixth-ranked Midwestern State at the Arkansas Tech Classic.

It was Harding's fifth straight victory over a nationally-ranked team in neutral site contests. The Bisons improved to 3-3 overall, and the Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 5-1.

The game was tied 10 times in the second half, the last coming at 63-63 with 3:33 left. Harding senior Weston Jameson made the first of two free throws on the Bisons' next possession and senior Hayden Johnson followed with a layup. After a Midwestern State basket by Cam Adderley, Harding sophomore Andraz Kavas made two free throws to make it 68-65 with 2:39 remaining, and the Bisons led by at least three the rest of the way.

Kavas made 9-of-10 free throws and led Harding with 18 points. Jameson had 13 points, a career-high nine rebounds, and five assists, and freshman Will Francis scored 11.

Harding made nine 3-pointers to only six from Midwestern State, and the Bisons outscored the Mustangs 17-12 at the free throw line.

Adderley led Midwestern State with 19 points.

Harding's streak of neutral site victories over ranked opponents began with a 60-53 victory over 12th-ranked Christian Brothers in the 2009 Gulf South Conference Tournament in Southaven, Miss. The Bisons then won consecutive games over fourth-ranked Alabama-Huntsville and 13th-ranked Arkansas Tech to win the 2011 GSC Tournament. Harding's fourth win came over 10th-ranked Northwest Missouri State last season in Hawaii.

Harding improved to 16-28 all-time against nationally-ranked teams.