Stefan Andelkovic scored 29 points to lead Harding University to a 92-85 Great American Conference men’s basketball victory over Arkansas Tech University at Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Searcy on Monday night.
The Bisons (8-5 overall, 5-4 GAC) shot 64 percent from the field in the second half and improved to 6-1 at home this season.
The Wonder Boys (9-4, 5-4) lost for just the second time in their last eight games and remained winless at Rhodes-Reaves Field House since 2014.
“They got it going, and the thing that I thought would be our saving grace was I thought we could get it going with them,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Chad Kline. “We looked tired. Shots that I am used to seeing go in weren’t tonight. If you don’t make shots in here, you’re going to be in trouble.”
The two sides were tied 35-35 at halftime. There were seven ties and seven lead changes during the opening 20 minutes. The Bisons led 33-26 with 4:11 to go in the first half before the Wonder Boys closed the period on a 9-2 run to tie it up at the intermission.
Harding made 13 of its first 19 field goal tries to begin the second half and opened a 73-61 lead on a Will Francis 3-pointer with 7:21 remaining.
The Bisons built an 82-65 edge with 5:35 left. Arkansas Tech rallied and cut its deficit to 87-81 on a Montrell Williams 3-pointer with 53 seconds to go, but that was as close as the Wonder Boys could get. Harding made 5-of-6 free throws over the final 50 seconds to put the win on ice.
Andelkovic was 10-of-16 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
Will Francis had 18 points and Gojko Djokovic netted a season-high 17 points for the Bisons. Harding’s J.P. Brandon scored 10 of his 14 points after halftime.
Tech’s Bennie Lufile finished with a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Williams (18 points), Justin Graham (14 points) and Freddy Lee (10 points) also reached double figures in scoring.
The Wonder Boys will entertain Henderson State University in GAC action at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday, Jan. 19. Tip-off is set for a 7:30 p.m.
