Down nine at halftime, the Ouachita Tigers outscored the Harding Bison 45-28 in the second half to get their first Great American Conference win of the season, 77-69. Forward Colt Fason led the Tigers with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Harding built a nine point lead at the end of the first half thanks to Will Francis and Hayden Johnson. Francis went 5-6 from three-point range and scored 17, while Johnson went 10-13 from the free-throw line to score 14. As a team, Harding shot 44% from beyond the arc in the first half.
The Tigers only shot 38% in the first half, however they were able to capitalize on some open shots late in the period to keep the Bison within striking distance. Guard Sterling Bailey went 3-4 from three-point range and led the Tigers with nine points at halftime.
The Tigers came out shaky in the second half, fouling often on defense. Harding was unable to take advantage and suffered from cold shooting to start the second. Colt Fason hit two free throws and followed with a clutch three to get the Tigers within five with 16:56 left to play.
Freshman Alan Buchanan, plagued by foul travel for most of the game, would foul out with 14:55 to play. The Tigers responded immediately and turned up the intensity on both sides of the court. Guard Eric Braeuer would hit a layup with 12:38 to put the Tigers ahead 48-47. Center Kyle Francis would block a Bison shot on the following defensive possession and Fason would find and open Braeuer for a three to put the Tigers up by four. They would not trail again in the game.
Harding continued with their cold shooting in the second half, shooting only 27% from the field and 2-18 from three-point range. The Tigers shot 48% from the floor and shot 70% from the free-throw line.
The Tigers had three scores in double-figures. Fason and Braeuer each scored 18 and Bailey finished with 17. The Tigers out-rebounded Harding 46-35. They were led by Fason with 14. Bailey had seven and Carven Holcombe had six, including four on the offensive glass.
Will Francis finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bison.
This was Colt Fason’s fourth double-double of the season.
The Tigers (4-8, 1-5) travel to Alva, Okla. on January 16 to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State (5-8, 2-5). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
