WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Despite a career-high six three-pointers from senior Wesley Booker and a resilient second-half offensive explosion, the Harding Bisons saw their three-game winning streak come to an end in a 94-83 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at the Pioneer Event Center.

Harding (13-6, 9-4 GAC) entered the contest with the nation's No. 4-ranked scoring defense, but the Bisons ran into a red-hot Bulldogs squad that shot 65 percent in the second half to protect their home court.

The Bisons controlled the tempo for much of the first half. Behind the perimeter shooting of Booker and Thompson Camara, Harding built a 22-15 lead at the 8:40 mark. Booker was clinical from deep in the opening frame, connecting on four triples to help the Bisons take a 31-28 lead late into the half before a late SWOSU surge gave the Bulldogs a four-point cushion at the break.

In the second half, the Bisons' offense found its rhythm, putting up 52 points—their highest-scoring half of the conference season. Senior guard Keyln McBride caught fire, scoring 16 of his 21 points in the final 20 minutes, including a flurry of three-pointers that twice pulled Harding within two possessions in the closing minutes.

However, the Bisons could not find the defensive stops necessary to bridge the gap. SWOSU (8-11, 5-8 GAC) relied on Ty Frierson, who finished with 33 points, and a transition game that outpaced the Bisons 17-4 in fast-break points.

Booker led the Bisons with 23 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds. His 6-of-11 performance from beyond the arc marked a new career high for made threes. McBride finished with 21 points and a team-high seven assists.

Freshman Reggie Webster continued his consistent rookie campaign, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds, while Camara added 10 points and six boards. Ornette Gaines provided a spark off the bench with seven points in 18 minutes.

Harding remained efficient at the charity stripe, hitting 80 percent (16-of-20) of its free throws, led by Webster's 6-of-7 effort.

Harding will look to bounce back Thursday, Feb. 5 at home against Oklahoma Baptist. It is the first game of a four-game home stand.