Another tough conference road game for the Ouachita Tigers (7-6, 3-4 GAC) resulted in another tough conference loss, as they fell to the Bisons of Harding University (12-3, 5-2 GAC) by a final score of 83-78 despite leading by three at halftime.
The Tigers used a late 8-0 run, including a buzzer-beating three from Colt Fason, to take a 39-36 lead at halftime in Searcy, but a foul-plagued second half and the inability to make free throws resulted in a second half struggle.
The Bisons led by as much as eight in the second half, before the Tigers rallied back and got as close as three points in the last minute of play. A late play in which the Tigers struggled to get an intentional foul called though ended in a lot of clock runoff and eventually a loss.
Ouachita had three players who posted sensational performances, as Austin Mitchell, Nigel Ramsey and Colt Fason posted 22, 18 and 18 points respectively. Mitchell made six of his seven attempts from the three point line, while Fason finished with his career high.
The Bisons were led by Bradley Spencer, who recorded 19 points and four rebounds en route to a 4-of-7 performance from the floor. Zach Roddenberry was the other high scorer for Harding, posing 18 points and six rebounds.
Ouachita struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 30-23, while also turning the ball over 16 times compared to 12 for the Bisons. Both teams finished with ridiculous shooting percentages, as the Tigers finished shooting 54.5 percent and the Bisons finished shooting 49 percent from the floor.
The Tigers return to action on Thursday, when they host Northwestern Oklahoma State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
