SEARCY – Under the glow of the lights at Stevens Soccer Complex on Thursday night, the Harding Bisons found themselves battling not just an early deficit—but the clock.

Ouachita Baptist struck twice in a four-minute span in the first half and held off a furious Harding comeback attempt to earn a 2–1 victory in Great American Conference play.

The Tigers (2-7-2, 1-5-0) opened the scoring in the 15th minute when James Lovoy fired a right-footed shot into the top-right corner off a pass from Cody Tice. Just moments later, in the 18th minute, Xavier O'Dwyer doubled the lead with a strike to the top-left of the net, assisted by Alexis Murillo.

Harding (2-8-2, 0-4-1) regrouped at halftime and came out with renewed energy. The Bisons controlled possession, outshooting Ouachita 15-9 overall and 6-4 on goal.

Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Hayden Teixeira buried a low right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner for his second goal of the season. Noah Legge provided the assist to pull Harding within one.

Despite a late surge and multiple chances in the final 30 minutes, the Bisons could not find the equalizer. Ouachita's defense and five saves from its goalkeeper Isaac Murie preserved the result.

The Bisons, now in seventh place in the conference standings, will look to bounce back on the road Saturday, Oct. 18, when they travel to Bethany, Oklahoma, to take on Southern Nazarene at 2 p.m.