Skip To Main Content

Harding University Athletics

2023 Basketball vs. Arkansas-fort smith.jpg
94
Winner Harding Hard 2-2,0-0 GAC
89
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS 0-3,0-0 Lone Star
Winner
Harding Hard
2-2,0-0 GAC
94
Final
89
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS
0-3,0-0 Lone Star
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Harding Hard 41 42 11 94
Ark.-Fort Smith UAFS 37 46 6 89

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Scott Goode (11/18/23)

HU Men's Basketball Wins Wild OT Game at Arkansas-Fort Smith

FORT SMITH, Ark. – The 3-point line in college basketball is a little less than 21 feet from one basket and a little more than 70 feet from the other basket. Harding sophomore Rylie Marshall misfired on the three shorter 3-pointers he attempted Saturday in the Bisons' road game at Arkansas-Fort Smith, but he drilled one of the longer variety as the buzzer sounded, sending Harding and UAFS into overtime.

Marshall's heroics at the end of regulation, combined with Harding making 8 of 10 shots in overtime lifted the Bisons to a 94-89 victory over UAFS. Harding improved to 2-2 overall and dropped UAFS to 0-3.

Harding led for much of the second half, but fell behind late and trailed 83-78 with 11 seconds remaining. HU's Stetson Smithson hit a jumper to cut it to three, and Harding immediately fouled.

UAFS missed the front end of a 1-and-1 at the foul line, and Marshall grabbed the rebound on the run. He took two dribbles and let it fly from the sideline directly across from the top of the key. It hit nothing but net. The teams headed to overtime tied at 83.

The teams combined to make only two field goals in the overtime period, but Smithson again came up big for the Bisons. His 3-pointer with 1:11 left put Harding ahead to stay.

UAFS missed its last three shot attempts, and Harding won it at the foul line. Marshall and Sam Henderson to extend Harding's lead to five points, and Marshall, very fittingly, ended the game with two made free throws. No problem at all to hit two 15-foot free throws after you have already made a shot from 70 feet.

Marshall scored a career-high 17 points, one behind Keyln McBride, who had 18.

Smithson was 6 of 8 from the field and scored 16 points. Sam Smith had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out. Sam Henderson added 11 points.

TEAM NOTES
  • Harding won a nonconference road game against a full Division II opponent for the first time since a 68-58 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith in 2019.
  • Harding's last overtime win on the road was a 96-93 victory over East Central in 2016.
  • Harding made 26 free throws, the most since the Bisons connected on 26 free throws vs. Arkansas Tech in 2021.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
  • McBride led HU with 18 points and has scored double figures in all four games this season.
  • Marshall scored a career-high 17 points, breaking his previous high of 15 against Lincoln (MO) this season ... he also had a career-high four steals.
  • Smithson has scored 37 points in his last two games, connecting on all seven free throws.
  • Sam Smith notched his third straight double-double.
  • Sam Henderson had 11 points and a season-high five rebounds.
SERIES NOTES
  • Harding and UAFS are now tied 3-3 in six meetings ... the series is tied 2-2 in Fort Smith ... the first recorded games between the teams came in 1932 with the Bisons winning in Morrilton and Fort Smith Junior College winning in Fort Smith.
UP NEXT
  • Harding's next action is Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Maryville (MO) of the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. It will be the first time the teams have met in men's basketball action.
Print Friendly Version