Alva Review-Courier -

SEARCY – Freshman Gabriel Divic made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points in his Harding debut and the Bisons controlled the action in the low post in a 101-68 victory over Ecclesia on Thursday at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

Harding improved to 1-2 with the victory. Ecclesia, a member of the National Christian College Athletics Association located in Springdale, Arkansas, fell to 0-8. Harding is now 4-0 all-time against Ecclesia.

Harding led 39-34 at halftime but pulled away by scoring 62 points in the second half. The Bisons shot 59 percent after halftime, many of them layups.

Harding outscored Ecclesia 56-24 in the paint and had a 49-29 rebound advantage.

Divic was one of four Harding players with 10 or more points. Adam Horn was 7-of-10 from the field and had 15 points. Tyler Roth added 12 points, and JV Long had 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Ashton Wargu led Ecclesia with 19 points, but committed a flagrant foul with just over four minutes left resulting in his ejection.

Harding's next game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Crowley's Ridge College, an NAIA member from Paragould, Arkansas.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Harding's 49 rebounds were its most in a game since posting 52 rebounds against Champion Baptist in 2013.

Harding attempted 39 layups in the game and made 27 (69 percent). Ecclesia was 10-of-18 on layups (56 percent).

Harding last scored 100 points at home in a 100-89 victory over Northeastern State in 2014. The last time Harding scored more than 101 points at home was in a 107-54 victory over Shepherd Film Academy in 2010.

Harding and Ecclesia played Thursday for the first time since 2008.

Divic's 21 points were the most by a Bison in the four-game series with Ecclesia.

Ecclesia gave up more than 100 points for the fifth time this season.

Harding has won 42 of its last 43 home openers.