Skip To Main Content

Harding University Athletics

Harding University Athletics, go to homepage

Schedule

Events

Schedule
All Events
2024-25 mbball vs. East Central
55
East Central ECU 10-15,7-12 GAC
95
Winner Harding Hard 16-9,12-7 GAC
East Central ECU
10-15,7-12 GAC
55
Final
95
Harding Hard
16-9,12-7 GAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
East Central ECU 22 33 55
Harding Hard 48 47 95

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Harding Clinches GAC Tournament Berth with 95-55 Rout

SEARCY, Ark. — Harding clinched a berth in the Great American Conference Tournament, routing East Central 95-55 behind a season-high 17 3-pointers.

The Bisons improved to 16-9 overall and 12-7 in conference games, winning 12 GAC games for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The 40-point margin of victory was Harding's largest ever in a GAC game.

Josh Denton led Harding with 23 points, making 5 of 7 3-pointers. Sam Smith added 15 points and 14 rebounds.

East Central (10-15, 7-12 GAC) struggled to keep pace with Harding's high-powered offense. The Bisons scored the last 11 points of the first half, capped by Denton's layup with 35 seconds remaining, to take a 48-22 lead into halftime.

Harding continued its dominance in the second half, scoring the first 10 points to build a 58-22 advantage. East Central never got closer than 26 points the rest of the way.

Nikk Williams and Mark Rucha led East Central with 12 points apiece.

Harding's bench outscored East Central's 55-18, with 11 different Bisons scoring in the game.

East Central shot just 33.3% from the field, including 3 of 25 from 3-point range. Harding, meanwhile, shot 54.5% from the field and made 17 of 33 3-pointers.

The Bisons play at home again Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma.
Print Friendly Version
© 2026 Harding University Athletics Box 12281 Searcy, AR 72149
Phone: 501-279-4760