SEARCY – Harding shot 61 percent in the second half and had its best defensive effort of the season in a 73-53 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday at Rhodes Field House.

The victory was Harding's third straight at home and snapped a two-game skid in Great American Conference play. The Bisons improved to 8-7 overall and 3-2 in conference.

The Savage Storm lost for the sixth time in its last seven games, fell to 5-13 overall, and dropped to 1-5 in the GAC.

Harding scored the first six points of the game and led 22-6 when senior Andrew Silverman hit a 3-pointer with 8:50 left. Southeastern Oklahoma then outscored Harding 21-7 the rest of the way, including a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer by Chris Roussell that cut the Bisons' halftime lead to 29-27.

Urald King scored the first basket of the second half to tie the game for the first time, but Harding scored the next seven straight and led the rest of the way. The Bisons held a 52-45 lead with 5:30 left and went on a 10-0 run to put the game away.

Senior Kirk Porter led Harding with 16 points off the bench. He connected on 7-of-11 shots and added six rebounds and five assists. Junior Zach Roddenberry scored 14 points and added a team-high eight rebounds. Sophomore Weston Jameson scored 13.

The Bisons had 24 assists on 25 made field goals and only 11 turnovers.

Roussell led Southeastern Oklahoma with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Savage Storm shot only 39.7 percent from the field and made only 3-of-10 free throws.

The 53 points allowed were the fewest by the Bisons this season. Harding's previous low this season came in a 93-54 victory over Shepherd Tech.

Harding shot just 37 percent in the first half but made 14-of-23 attempts after halftime and finished at 47 percent. The Bisons made eight 3-pointers and hit 15-of-24 free throws.

Harding will be back in action Monday against Arkansas Tech in Russellville. Tech lost 97-94 at Henderson State on Saturday.