Bison basketball remains in the top spot of the Great American Conference after winning at Southern Nazarene University on Jan. 31. With this win, the team set a school record with their 10th straight victory this season.
As of press time, Harding was 17-3 overall and 10-2 in conference play. The team is ranked 18th in the nation according to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Coaches Poll released on Feb. 5.
Jeff Morgan, the Bisons head coach, said the team has been successful this season due to the chemistry of the team.
“They understand that this is bigger than one person,” Morgan said. “It’s about our team and university.”
According to Morgan, the team is composed of unselfish players.
“It’s amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit,” Morgan said.
Nash Nelson, a freshman guard, said the team’s chemistry is a huge asset while playing on the court.
“Teams that love each other will fight for each other every night,” Nelson said.
In the month of February, the Bisons will play six out of eight games on the road.
“Obviously the month of February is going to be a really tough stretch,” Morgan said. “To this point we have put ourselves in position that if we can have a good February then maybe we can find ourselves advancing to the NCAA tournament even after the conference tournament.”
The Bisons will take on Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Feb. 7 in Alva, Okla. Home games in the month of February include Henderson State on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and Southern Arkansas University on Feb. 21.
Morgan said that playing in front of the Rowdies in the Rhodes Field House helps the players emotionally stay in the game.
“The season is long, and mentally you can really get fatigued … when you come running out in the gym and the place is packed and there is just a lot of energy around game day that helps you emotionally be the best you can be,” Morgan said.
Nelson said the team is starting to see all of their hard work pay off., but they still have improvements to make.
“We have a ton of work to do to get to where we want to go,” Nelson said.
Tomorrow, the Bisons play Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla., at 4 p.m.
