BETHANY, Okla. – In a game with 16 lead changes, Southern Nazarene upended Harding 76-71 in Great American Conference men's basketball action at Sawyer Center.

Harding dropped to 5-8 overall and 2-5 in the GAC. Southern Nazarene snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 5-7 overall and 2-5 in conference.

Harding took a 69-68 lead on a Brahm Harris free throw with 1:09 left in the game. After Southern Nazarene retook the lead on their next possession, Harding missed four straight shots, and the Crimson Storm held off the Bisons with six free throws in the final 40 seconds.

Harris scored 23 of his career-high points in the first half, topping his previous season high of 17, and the Bisons led 37-36 at halftime. Harris had seven of Harding's 11 first half field goals and led the team with nine rebounds.

Sam Smith and Samuel Henderson both had 11 points for the Bisons. Keyln McBride scored nine points and led the team with five assists.

TEAM NOTES

·         Harding made 21 of 27 free throws, the second time this season the Bisons made 20 or more at the stripe.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

·         Harris scored a career-high 26 points, his first game as a Bison with 20 or more points … in his time at UAPB, Harris had a high of 20 points against Bethune-Cookman.

·         McBride had five assists and one turnover … over the last seven games, McBride has 30 assists and five turnovers.

SERIES NOTES

·         SNU leads 16-5 overall and 10-1 in Bethany

UP NEXT

·         Harding will look to bounce back Saturday against Oklahoma Baptist. Tip-off in Shawnee is at 3 p.m.