Harding University held on down the stretch for a 79-76 victory over Arkansas Tech University in Great American Conference men’s basketball at Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Searcy on Monday night.
Jacob Gibson and Will Francis poured in 18 points apiece for the Bisons (14-9 overall, 13-5 GAC), who completed a regular-season sweep of the Wonder Boys (13-11, 8-10).
Harding looked as if it might run away with the game in the first seven minutes. The Bisons led 20-6 with 13:04 to go until halftime, but Arkansas Tech was unfazed.
Andrew Guillory scored 14 first-half points and the Wonder Boys collected 11 offensive rebounds in the opening period to rally from their 14-point deficit and lead 35-33 at the intermission.
Harding scored the first seven points after halftime to take the lead for good. Eight straight points by Jacob Gibson midway through the second half gave the Bisons a 65-51 lead with 8:29 remaining.
Much like the first half, the Wonder Boys did not go away.
Six points by Guillory in a span of 19 seconds pulled Arkansas Tech within 74-72 with 2:10 to go.
Harding’s Blake McNair made 2-of-2 free throws with 9.3 seconds left to give the Bisons a 79-76 advantage, and the Wonder Boys’ 3-point try at the final buzzer was no good.
Guillory scored a career-high 26 points and Tyler Corley finished with 25 points for Arkansas Tech.
Harding made 11-of-24 shots from 3-point range, including 7-of-12 in the second half.
The Wonder Boys will host Henderson State University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Tickets ($5 adults and $3 students/senior citizens) will be available at the door. Those with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card will be admitted free of charge. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
