Box Score (HTML)

SEARCY, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team could not overcome an early deficit resulting in an 86-70 loss to Harding on Saturday inside Rhodes Field House.

After exchanging baskets throughout the first two minutes, Harding (9-8, 7-4 Great American Conference) went on an 11-0 run to take a double-digit lead at the 15:44 mark of the opening period. After the Weevils got their deficit back down to four points five minutes later, the scoring slowed down for both teams before Harding used an 11-3 run to get on top by as much as 18 points with 42 seconds remaining before halftime.
 
The Bisons led 42-26 at the break.

In the second half, UAM (5-10, 2-9 GAC) improved its 29 percent shooting in the first half up to 50 percent in the final 20 minutes, but the Bisons answered the bell with 18 made shots on 29 attempts for a clip of 62 percent from the field. Harding's big first half lead plus its high percentage shooting in the second half eventually led to its largest lead of the game at 28 points with 6:37 remaining.

The Weevils did not give up though, posting a 20-9 scoring advantage in the game's final six minutes to pull the final deficit down to 14.

Junior Richard Benedyth led UAM with 16 points, followed by junior Jamal Peterson with 15 and senior Cameron Blue with 12. Harding held UAM's leading scorer, senior Sharif Hudson, to a season-low five points.

Harding's Andraz Kavas led all scorers with 31 points. Jacob Gibson added 23.

The Weevils are back in action on Thursday night at home against Ouachita Baptist. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.