ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Harding made 13 of its first 16 shots and led from its first possession on in a 74-61 Great American Conference victory over Henderson State on Thursday at the Duke Wells Center.

Harding (10-8, 8-4) won its fifth straight overall and notched its first road victory of the season. The Bisons remain in fourth place in the GAC standings but are only one game back of leaders Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas. Harding hosts Southern Arkansas on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhodes Field House.

"I thought our guys had great focus and great energy, and it was great to see that from the start," Harding head coach Jeff Morgan said.

Henderson State (8-10, 5-7) lost for the fourth time in its last five games and dropped its third straight to Harding.

Harding shot 59 percent in the first half and led 47-38 at halftime. The Bisons extended their lead to as many as 18 points in the second half.

"We answered their runs," Morgan said. "We should toughness and composure and played well with the lead."

Henderson State shot 51.9 percent in the first half but shot only 25.9 percent in the second half. The Bisons held the Reddies to only 23 points in the second half.

Andraz Kavas led Harding with 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Blake McNair added 15 points, Jacob Gibson had 13, and John Hudson scored 11 points.

Rashad Perkins scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half to lead Henderson State.