WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State shot 57 percent in the first half and controlled play in the low post in a 71-60 victory over 18th-ranked Harding on Saturday in Great American Conference action at Rankin Williams Field House.

The Bulldogs outscored the Bisons 22-2 in the paint in the first half and 20-3 off turnovers. Harding had 13 turnovers to only one for Southwestern.

Harding (17-5, 10-4) remained in first place in the GAC by 1/2-game over Arkansas Tech despite losing its second straight. Southwestern Oklahoma (9-12, 8-7) won for the second time in the last three games.

Harding trailed 45-28 at halftime, but cut the Southwestern lead below 10 on three times in the second half. Zach Roddenberry, who led Harding with 15 points, converted a 3-point play with just under five minutes left to cut the Bulldogs lead to 59-51.

With just under a minute left, Adam Sterrenberg made a 3-pointer to pull Harding within 66-60, but the Bisons got no closer.

Harding shot on 36 percent for the game, but made nine 3-pointers. The Bisons had only two 2-point field goals in the first half. Harding made 13-of-16 free throws, but Southwestern went to the line 35 times and made 22.

Cochran was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including two 3-pointers. He was the only other Harding player in double figures with 10 points.

Southwestern, who shot 49 percent, had four in double figures, led by 14 from reserve forward Thomas Davis.

Harding returns to Searcy on Thursday to meet Henderson State at 7:30 p.m.