SEARCY – Harding men's basketball moved back into a tie for first place in the Great American Conference with a 93-87 overtime victory over Southern Arkansas on Thursday at Rhodes Field House.

It was the second time this season Harding and Southern Arkansas have failed to settle things in regulation. The Bisons defeated the Muleriders 81-77 in double overtime in Magnolia the first time the teams met on Jan. 17.

Harding (18-7, 11-6) made 29 free throws, its second-highest total this season, to snap a four-game losing skid and move to 13-1 at Rhodes Field House this season. Southern Arkansas (9-14, 5-12) made only 10-of-21 free throws and lost its 10th straight road game and its 11th straight in Searcy.

Harding junior Hayden Johnson, who led the team with 20 points, made two free throws with nine seconds left in regulation to give the Bisons an 81-78 lead. Southern Arkansas's Chris Davis then hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as time expired to send the game into overtime.

With the game tied at 84-84 with 2:56 left in overtime, Harding senior Adam Sterrenberg made the Bisons' 12th 3-pointer to put his team ahead for good. Neither team scored again until Johnson made a layup with 1:20 remaining to make the score 89-84. Johnson and Weston Jameson both made two free throws in the last minute to help Harding maintain its lead.

Zach Roddenberry, Harding's leading scorer on the season, missed all but the first four minutes of the first half after picking up two early fouls. Without its big man in the middle, Harding turned to the 3-point shot to keep them in the game. The Bisons made nine first half 3-pointers and trailed only 44-42 at halftime. Southern Arkansas shot 55 percent in the first half.

Johnson made 13-of-15 free throws and had a career-high 11 rebounds. Sterrenberg made a season-high five 3-pointers and scored 18 points. Freshman Andraz Kavas played 26 minutes off the bench and scored 17, hitting all seven of his free throw attempts. Jameson had 12 points and five assists.

Harding played without senior Bradley Spencer, who injured his shoulder in practice this week.

Chris Davis led Southern Arkansas with 21 points and eight rebounds, and Rodney Hill came off the bench to score 18.

Harding returns to action Saturday on the road against Arkansas-Monticello.