Written by Nic Fraraccio \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Harding basketball teams began the 2023-24 season last weekend and are preparing for the conference schedule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men\u2019s team traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to play in the Men\u2019s Great American Conference (GAC) Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Challenge hosted by Northside High School and Southside High School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harding dropped the season opener to Lincoln University by a final score of 78-70. This was the first game for Harding\u2019s new men\u2019s basketball head coach Weston Jameson. Sophomore guard Keyln McBride led the Bisons in scoring with 20 points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the 0-2 start, Jameson said the preseason practices and scrimmages have gotten the team ready for the season ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have really gotten what we wanted out of those scrimmages, which is what\u2019s working and what we need to improve on,\u201d Jameson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Bisons traveled to Emporia, Kansas, to play in the Women\u2019s GAC-MIAA Challenge hosted by Emporia State University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior guard Kendrick Bailey said it was a positive experience to play in back-to-back games at the GAC-MIAA Challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing able to turn around and bounce back on Saturday and get the win is huge because it shows we can move on from that,\u201d Bailey said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior guard Rory Geer said the team\u2019s work ethic will separate the Lady Bisons from the competition throughout the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing ready and wanting the will to win and not just coming into play makes us work hard,\u201d Geer said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men\u2019s team defeated Baptist Bible College by a final score of 102-86. The victory was Weston Jameson\u2019s first career win as a head coach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the conference schedule approaches, students and fans are encouraged to watch both teams throughout the season at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bailey said the team appreciates the love and support and looks forward to seeing fans at more games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are going to play our hardest for y\u2019all, so we would love it if you guys were there,\u201d Bailey said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both teams will begin their conference schedules Nov. 30 as they travel to Arkadelphia to take on Ouachita Baptist University.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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