Skip To Main Content

Harding University Athletics

2024-25 mbball vs. Ouachita Baptist - GAC Tournament
Liz Chrisman
83
Winner Harding Hard 21-9,15-7 GAC
66
Ouachita Baptist OUA 22-8,16-6 GAC
Winner
Harding Hard
21-9,15-7 GAC
83
Final
66
Ouachita Baptist OUA
22-8,16-6 GAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Harding Hard 41 42 83
Ouachita Baptist OUA 21 45 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Harding Men Blow Past Ouachita, Advance to GAC Tournament Final

FORT SMITH, Ark. — No. 3 seed Harding dominated the first half and cruised to an 83-66 victory over No. 2 seed Ouachita Baptist in the Great American Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday night.

Harding's Sam Smith led the charge, scoring 17 of his game-high 26 points in the first half. The Bisons' offense was clicking, with Stetson Smithson adding 10 points and Rylie Marshall chipping in with nine.

The Bisons took control from the outset, scoring the first 10 points of the game. Ouachita Baptist's Hobert Grayson finally got the Tigers on the board with a layup at the 15:56 mark, but Harding continued to pull away.

By halftime, the Bisons had built a 20-point lead, 41-21. Harding's defense was stifling, holding Ouachita Baptist to just 23.3% shooting from the field.

Reggie Martin paced the Tigers with 28 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bisons' strong team effort.

In the second half, Ouachita Baptist tried to mount a comeback, but Harding's lead proved insurmountable. The Tigers cut the deficit to 17 points with 7:31 remaining, but the Bisons responded with a 6-0 run to seal the victory.

Wyatt Gilbert added 15 points off the bench for Harding, while Stetson Smithson chipped in with 14 points.

With the win, Harding improved to 21-9, its most victories since the 2012-13 season when the Bisons went 22-10.

The Bisons will face top-seeded Southern Nazarene in the tournament championship game on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Print Friendly Version