ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita men's basketball team fell in overtime to Harding University by the score of 89-84 Saturday afternoon at Bill Vining Arena.
Ouachita (12-6, 7-5 GAC) started off the Saturday contest strong, taking a five-point lead after four minutes of action. But then Harding (11-7, 7-5 GAC) came back to tie things up four minutes later. From there, it was a foot race. The first half saw a total of 10 lead changes and six ties. The Tigers finally gained a foothold at the 3:28 mark when they retook the lead for the last time in the half. After trading the next few shots, Ouachita went into halftime leading the Bisons 38-34.
The two rivals traded leads again to start the second half of action. The Tigers again found traction at the 13:54 mark, taking the lead and pushing it out to as many as seven points over the next seven minutes before Harding climbed its way back to tie the game and 67-67. After more back-and-forth, the game ended up tied 73-73 and then 74-74 with 1:13 remaining. The Bisons took the lead with 51 seconds to go. But A
PJ Neal steal followed by a
Gavin Snyder layup tied the game back up with just eight seconds left. Those final eight seconds ticked off the clock and the game went to overtime.
Harding took control early in the extra period and held its lead. Ouachita fell in overtime by the final score of 89-84.
Hobert Grayson led all players with 23 points and nine rebounds. Grayson's 23 points also included a perfect 7-for-7 on free throws.
Shaun Williams was next in both categories with 19 points at five rebounds. Williams also led the team in steals with two.
Snyder led the team in assists with five to go along with 13 points that included shooting 3-for-3 from three-point range and recorded the only block for the Tigers.
Devyn Franklin posted 11 points to round out the Tigers in double-figures.
Ouachita is now a part of a three-way tie for third place in the GAC standings with 10 games to go.
The Tigers will look to bounce back next week when they host the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Bill Vining Arena.
