Last weekend, the Bisons traveled to Russellville, Ark. for the Arkansas Tech Thanksgiving Classic. Harding played against two nationally-ranked teams. Their game last Friday night was against the sixth-ranked Mustangs of Midwestern State University. Sophomore forward Andraz Kavas scored 13 second-half points, which led Harding to defeat Midwestern State.
The Bisons went on to face Northeastern State University, who beat Harding in Tahlequah, Okla., two weeks earlier. The Bisons were led by freshman guard Will Francis, who had 18 points, but it took a three-pointer with four seconds on the clock from Northeastern’s Marcus Sheppard to hand Harding a 66-64 loss.
Now, the Bisons turn their attention to a two-game home stand. Head men’s coach Jeff Morgan said the importance of last night’s game with GAC foe East Central University was a key game to get the Bisons back on track.
“We played a very difficult non-conference schedule with a couple of good wins,” Morgan said. “These two home conference games are really big games for us to get off to a good start.” Once they make it through this weekend’s home game, the Bisons will take the rest of the month off for some rest and relaxation during the Christmas season.
While the Bisons had a tough fight over the Thanksgiving week- end, the Lady Bisons squared off with the defending NCAA national champions in Southern Nazarene in a 16-point win, 80-64, before they too visited Christian Brothers University last Tuesday for round two in Memphis, a game which ended with another Lady Bison; victory, 64-61.
The Lady Bisons then turned their focus to their weekend opponent, the fifth-ranked University of Central Missouri Jennies. Senior Kristen Celsor scored 16 first-half points before turning right back around and scoring 17 more in the second half for a game total of 33 points along with 11 rebounds. They finished with a win, 96-67.
Lady Bison assistant coach David Walker was sure to point out that the team is focusing on one game at a time.
“We have two big GAC games this week with East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma State,” Walker said. “Right now our girls are just working to get better. They respect the process that winning requires.”
Tomorrow afternoon’s games have been postponed due to inclement weather. The games against Southeastern Oklahoma State University will be rescheduled at a later date.
