SEARCY – Junior Andras Kavas scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to lead Harding to a 95-65 season-opening victory over Champion Baptist on Friday at the Rhodes Field House.

The victory was Harding's 39th straight victory in home openers, a streak that dates to the 1975-76 season. Champion Baptist, a school of 300 located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, fell to 2-5.

The Bisons led 13-11 with 12:33 left in the first half, but outscored the Eagles 25-7 over the next nine minutes with Kavas scoring 16 of Harding's points during the run. Harding led 47-26 at halftime.

Harding took its first 30-point lead on a layup by Antoine Burrell with 13:35 left that gave the Bisons a 65-35 advantage. Consecutive dunks by Burrell, freshman Micah Bailey, and senior Mak Boskailo pushed the lead to 77-40 with 8:55 left. Harding led by at least 30 most of the second half.

Kavas was 9-of-12 from the field, made two 3-pointers, and shot 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. His 23 points were a new career high and marked the second 20-point game of his career.

Juniors Burrell and Jacob Gibson both scored 12 points and Boskailo added nine.

Josiah Capaci, a senior guard, led Champion Baptist with 13 points.

Harding will play again Saturday at 7:30 p.m., hosting Christian Brothers at the Rhodes Field House.