SEARCY – Harding junior forward Matt Hall scored 25 points, hitting 11-of-11 from the foul line, in the Bisons' 81-63 loss to Lipscomb on Thursday at Allen Arena. The game was the second and final exhibition game before Harding opens the regular season on Nov. 17 against St. Edward's University.
Two scoring runs led to the victory for Lipscomb. Harding junior Rick Hamilton hit a three-pointer at the 10:34 mark of the second half to give the Bisons a 54-51 lead. Lipscomb then scored the next 14 points over the next four minutes to put the game out of reach.
In the first half, Harding shot only 28 percent and endured a six-minute scoreless stretch that saw Lipscomb's 7-6 lead expand to 25-6 with 8:15 left in the half. Harding battled back and trailed only 37-28 at halftime.
A 19-4 Harding scoring run early in the second half gave the Bisons their first lead of the game at 51-50 on a Reggie Bibb layup.
Hall was the only Harding player with 10 or more points. Hamilton scored nine points, hitting three of Harding's five three-pointers. Hall had the other two.
Brian Fisk led Lipscomb in scoring with 22 points and seven rebounds.