SEARCY, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team earned a big Great American Conference overtime victory at Harding on Thursday night from the Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Searcy, Arkansas, 82-76. Austin Hardy paved the way for UAM tallying 24 points going 4-of-7 from downtown.
 
The Weevils and Bisons traded leads throughout the game and neither team really gave way until the final few minutes of overtime.
 
In the first period, the Weevils had the advantage outscoring Harding, 38-33. With the Bisons ahead in the final minute, UAM made a push. KJ Lesure got to the line and hit a pair of free throws. In the final seconds of the half, Denzel McDuffey hit a jumper to put the Weevils up five at the break.
 
UAM got up seven to start the second period, but Harding took the lead after the first media timeout. The Bisons had a 10-point advantage with six minutes left to play, but UAM got hot. They went on a 13-2 run sparked by McDuffey, Hardy and Lesure and took a lead. With two minutes left, Harding hit a three to take a two-point advantage, then Hardy hit a jumper to tie the game and send it into overtime, 65-65
 
The game remained a stalemate until a little under two minutes remained in overtime. The Weevils then hit four of their next five shots to take an eight-point advantage. Harding had to foul in the final minutes, but UAM sealed it with free-throw shooting, earning the win, 82-76.
 
Hardy nearly tallied a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds.
 
Lesure had another double-double performance with 19 points and 11 rebounds. He also led in assists with seven.
 
Marcus Gilbert also finished in double-figures with 15 points.
 
With the win, the Weevils improve to 15-9 overall and 7-8 in league games while Harding falls to 7-14 overall and 2-13 in GAC contests.
 
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UAM will be back in action on Saturday with a road contest at Henderson State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. following the women's game.