SEARCY – Christian Brothers scored 17 consecutive points over a seven-minute stretch of the second half and defeated Harding 72-61 Saturday at Rhodes Field House. It was the Bisons' second game in two nights. Harding won its opener 95-65 on Friday over Champion Baptist.

Harding led Christian Brothers 40-39 with 14:31 left in the game, but Christian Brothers made seven straight shots, and Harding missed nine straight during the Buc run that put them ahead 56-40 with 7:23 remaining.

Harding pulled to within nine points on four occasions down the stretch but got no closer.

Blake McNair led the Bisons with 25 points, tying a career high. He connected on 8-of-14 shots, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range. Will Francis had team-highs with 12 rebounds and six assists, and Andraz Kavas had nine points and eight rebounds.

Senior Trey Casey led Christian Brothers with 20 points and made three of the team's seven 3-pointers. Junior Drew Hildreth added 18 points, and senior Sidy Sall had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Christian Brothers (1-0) outscored Harding 40-14 in the paint and shot 50 percent. Harding shot 36 percent, including 33 percent in the second half. The Bisons made 11 3-pointers.

Harding returns to the Rhodes on Tuesday to meet Northeastern State, an MIAA squad from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Harding and Christian Brothers will meet again on Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. in Memphis.