Written by Nic Fraraccio // Photo by Macy Cox
The Harding basketball teams began the 2023-24 season last weekend and are preparing for the conference schedule.
The men’s team traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to play in the Men’s Great American Conference (GAC) Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Challenge hosted by Northside High School and Southside High School.
Harding dropped the season opener to Lincoln University by a final score of 78-70. This was the first game for Harding’s new men’s basketball head coach Weston Jameson. Sophomore guard Keyln McBride led the Bisons in scoring with 20 points.
In their second game, the Bisons fell to the University of Central Missouri in a close matchup by a final score of 62-59. Senior forward Sam Smith posted the first double-double of the season for the Bisons. Smith tallied 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against the Mules.
Despite the 0-2 start, Jameson said the preseason practices and scrimmages have gotten the team ready for the season ahead.
“We have really gotten what we wanted out of those scrimmages, which is what’s working and what we need to improve on,” Jameson said.
The Lady Bisons traveled to Emporia, Kansas, to play in the Women’s GAC-MIAA Challenge hosted by Emporia State University.
In their first matchup of the season, Harding dropped a close game to Missouri Southern State University by a final score of 76-72. Four Harding players dropped double digits in the scoring column against the Lions. Senior forward Sage Hawley led the team in scoring with 22 points.
The Lady Bisons bounced back in their second matchup against Emporia State University, beating the Hornets by a final score of 65-54. The Harding defense proved pivotal in the victory, holding the Hornets to a 26.8 shooting percentage.
Junior guard Kendrick Bailey said it was a positive experience to play in back-to-back games at the GAC-MIAA Challenge.
“Being able to turn around and bounce back on Saturday and get the win is huge because it shows we can move on from that,” Bailey said.
Junior guard Rory Geer said the team’s work ethic will separate the Lady Bisons from the competition throughout the season.
“Being ready and wanting the will to win and not just coming into play makes us work hard,” Geer said.
Both teams captured victories Nov. 14 in their first home games of the new season. The Lady Bisons defeated Cameron University 67-46 to improve to 2-1 on the season. Harding outscored the Aggies 16-2 en route to the victory.
The men’s team defeated Baptist Bible College by a final score of 102-86. The victory was Weston Jameson’s first career win as a head coach.
As the conference schedule approaches, students and fans are encouraged to watch both teams throughout the season at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
Bailey said the team appreciates the love and support and looks forward to seeing fans at more games.
“We are going to play our hardest for y’all, so we would love it if you guys were there,” Bailey said.
Both teams will begin their conference schedules Nov. 30 as they travel to Arkadelphia to take on Ouachita Baptist University.
