Harding Holds Off RiverHawks

SEARCY, Ark. -  Harding University used a 19-0 run late in the first half to hold off Northeastern State University 68-63 Thursday night at Rhodes Field House.

The RiverHawks (1-1) jumped out to a 9-point lead 23-14 with 7:14 remaining in the first half, but that's when Northeastern State collapsed.

The Bison (2-0) went on a 19-0 run in the final 7:14 of the half to take a 33-23 lead at the intermission. Harding held its largest lead of the game 13 points with 10:11 remaining 51-38.

 The RiverHawks built their 9-point first-half lead behind Marlon Burnett, who scored 13 of his game high 24 points in the first half.

"I really felt like the difference in the game was the last 10 possessions of the second half when we turned the ball over nine times and they outscored us 17-7 and that run in the first half," said Northeastern State head coach Larry Gipson.

"I thought we played solid the second half. I'm not disappointed in the effort of our kids,'' said Gipson. "Our kids just have to understand what it takes to play on this level and get more comfortable. It was a good learning experience for us."

In the final 20 minutes the RiverHawks battled back to within five points four times, the last time with two seconds left on a basket by Ethan Anderson.

Jason Jones finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Antonie Branch followed Burnett in the scoring with 16 points, as the RiverHawks shot 44 percent from the floor (20-of-45) including just 5-of-19 from behind the arc (26 percent). Northeastern State was 18-of-26 at the line and was out rebounded by Harding 30-28.

"I was real pleased with Marlon (Burnett), Jason (Jones) and Antonie (Branch)," said Gipson. "We just have to have a couple of other guys  step up for us."

The Bison's scoring was led by Matt Garner, who scored 18 points followed by Kirk Porter's 16 and Trent Morgan's 12. The Bison shot 43 percent from the field (21-of-48), including 6-of-14 from 3-point range and 20-of-31 from the free throw line.

The RiverHawks will resume play Monday night at  Magnolia, Ark., against Southern Arkansas University. Tip-off is 7 p.m.