ARKADELPHIA -- Harding shot nearly as well from three-point range as overall while Henderson State's shooters struggled in general.
Consequently, the visiting Bisons won 69-55 Saturday at Wells Center, moving ahead of the Reddies in the Great American Conference with a 7-4 record to Henderson's 6-5 and 10-5 overall to the Reddies' 11-6.
Harding made eight of 19 three-point attempts (42 percent) while Henderson connected on just two of 16 from beyond the arc. With the Reddies shooting 32 percent overall, Harding overcame 24 turnovers (Henderson had 16) and a 38-33 rebound disadvantage.
Tim Wagner scored 31 points for Harding, four of his eight baskets coming from three-point range. He went 11 of 12 on free throws, helping the Bisons outscore the Reddies by 10 at the line. Will Francis added 11 points for the Searcy visitors.
Ben Marello scored 15 points and Chris Hawkins 12 for Henderson, losing its fourth in a row.
Henderson has road games Thursday at Oklahoma Baptist (Shawnee) and Saturday against Southern Nazarene (Bethany, Okla.).
With a 28-point fourth quarter, Harding remained unbeaten in GAC women's action and improved to 14-2 overall with a 76-64 victory over Henderson. Sydney Layrock scored 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting for the Bisons, Caroline Hogue adding 16 points and Sydnie Jones 14. Harding trailed 33-30 at halftime and 49-48 after three quarters.
Pink Jones had 16 points and Brittany Branum and Blu Jones 10 each for Henderson.
* In Magnolia, Southern Arkansas scored six straight points late in the game and edged Ouachita Baptist 69-67 Saturday. Lakee Westbrook led OBU with 18 points, five three-pointers included, while Carven Holcombe added 16 points, Justin McCleary 12 and Mahlon Martin 10.
The visiting Tigers (8-7, 6-5 GAC) came off a 94-93 overtime loss to unbeaten and 16th-ranked (NCAA Division II) Arkansas-Monticello Thursday night at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia. Westbrook scored a game- and career-high 34 points but had a jumper fall off the front of the rim in overtime.
Southern Arkansas handed the Lady Tigers their fifth consecutive loss Saturday, 62-55. Madison Brittain and Chasidee Owens each scored 12 points and Lake Hamilton junior Kori Bullard added 10 for OBU (7-10, 4-7).
Ouachita plays at Southern Nazarene on Thursday and at Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday.
Sports on 01/23/2017