Box Score HIGHLIGHTS
Harding: Hayden Johnson - 26 points, 6 rebounds;
Tony Cochran - 19 points;
Jacob Gibson - 14 points, 8 rebounds;
Weston Jameson - 9 assists.
Southwestern Oklahoma: Rod Camphor - 20 points, 3 rebounds; Michael Bradley - 12 points, 4 rebounds.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Harding senior
Hayden Johnson scored 26 points and sophomore
Tony Cochran did not miss a shot in scoring 19 points as the Bisons defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 89-65 on Thursday in Great American Conference action at the Rankin Williams Field House.
The victory was Harding's first on the road this season and gave the Bisons a 4-5 overall record and 1-2 mark in the GAC. Southwestern fell to 5-4 overall and suffered its first loss in the GAC, dropping to 2-1.
"There are some really good teams in this league, and it is as balanced as it has ever been," Harding head coach Jeff Morgan said. "The win was big for our team. The guys were down about some of the games we have lost, and they had to carry that into the holidays. Tonight we came out and executed well."
Harding took control of the game early. After Southwestern scored the first field goal, Harding scored the next 16 points with Cochran and Jacob Gibson both hitting a pair of 3-pointers during the run.
Harding held a 22-7 advantage with 12:23 left in the half when Johnson's layup kick-started a 13-4 run that included consecutive baskets by Andraz Kavas and concluded with Gibson hitting a layup to give the Bisons a 35-11 margin, their largest of the half.
Harding matched that lead on Johnson's layup with 1:07 left that sent the Bisons to the break with a 46-22 lead.
"It was a great start to the game," Morgan said. "It really helps when you make shots."
The Bisons made a lot of shots, especially from 3-point range. Harding shot 53 percent, connecting on 26-of-49 from the field, and draining 13-of-26 3-pointers.
Johnson made three 3-pointers and was 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-13 at the free throw line. Cochran was 6-of-6 from the field and made all five 3-point attempts. Gibson was in double figures with 14 points and led the team with eight rebounds. Weston Jameson tied a career-high with nine assists.
"It's good to see Tony get off to a great start," Morgan said. "He has been more aggressive and has developed a sense of urgency. Southwestern started out in a zone, and we were able to free up Tony early to get some looks."
Rod Camphor led Southwestern with 20 points, and Michael Bradley came off the bench to score 12.
The Bulldogs shot only 35 percent from the field and missed 18 of their 24 3-point attempts.
"We are not where we need to be defensively, but we did a better job of executing tonight," Morgan said.
Harding's Oklahoma road trip continues Saturday in Alva as the Bisons take on Northwestern Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. The game will air live in Searcy on KVHU 95.3-FM and links to all game coverage is available at HardingSports.com/coverage.aspx.
