Smithson, Martin Pace Harding in Victory at Ouachita Baptist

Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Stetson Smithson and Romen Martin both scored 23 points and Harding defeated Ouachita Baptist 92-85 Saturday in Great American Conference play at Vining Arena.

"That was a big step for our team," Harding head coach Jeff Morgan said. "We have had a lot of words and not a lot of action, but I felt like today those matched up. I was really pleased with the way we stayed hooked up."

The victory moved the Bisons to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Harding plays a nonconference game Monday on the road against Texas A&M-Commerce. Ouachita dropped to 1-6 and 0-2 in the GAC despite a season-high scoring total.

Smithson did not miss a shot from the field, going 8 of 8, including 5 of 5 from the 3-point line. It was only the seventh time in program history that a Harding player made eight or more shots without a miss.

Martin did most of his damage at the free-throw line, where he was 17 of 19. The 17 made free throws were the second most ever by a Harding player, trailing only Huel Evans' 21 made free throws against Ouachita in 1959.

Taylor Currie added 18 points, Sam Henderson had 12 and Ramiro Santiago dropped in 11.

Harding shot 56% from the field, tied a season high with 10 3-pointers, and made 22 of 29 free throws.

Harding shot 51.6% in the first half and led 43-31 at the break. The Bisons were even better from the field in the second half, shooting 60.9%. Harding made nine of its first 10 shots after the break and never trailed in the second half.

Ma'Darius Hobson led Ouachita with 23 points. Larenz Nero made all eight of his field goal attempts and scored 20 points.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Romen Martin: G; 6' 0"; Junior

#24 Ramiro Santiago: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#15 Stetson Smithson: G; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#21 Taylor Currie: C; 6' 8"; Sophomore

#3 Sam Henderson: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#23 Romen Martin
: 6' 0"; Junior
: G

#24 Ramiro Santiago
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#15 Stetson Smithson
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: G

#21 Taylor Currie
: 6' 8"; Sophomore
: C

#3 Sam Henderson
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G