Harding Defense Stifles Christian Brothers in 66-48 Victory

Courtesy Harding University Athletics Department

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior forward Zach Roddenberry scored 21 points and freshman guard Tony Cochran added 20 points to lead Harding to a 66-48 victory over Christian Brothers on Sunday at Canale Arena.

It was Harding’s best defensive effort of the season and the fewest points the team has allowed in a road game since a 66-47 victory at Cameron on Feb. 24, 2000. The victory was Harding’s first road win this season and its first in six road games dating to last season. The Bisons have won four of their last five against the Bucs (6-3) in Memphis.

Harding (8-3) trailed 11-10 with 8:01 left until halftime but closed the first half on a 16-5 run and led 26-16 at the break. Christian Brothers shot only 21 percent in the first half and made just 1-of-10 3-pointers. The Bucs’ 16 points tied the fewest by a Harding opponent in a half this season.

Christian Brothers’ Michael Drake made a layup on the first possession of the second half to cut the Harding lead to eight points, but Cochran answered with two straight 3-pointers. Harding led by eight points or more the rest of the way.

Cochran, who started in place of Matt Walters, scored 18 of 20 of his points in the second half. He made 4-of-5 3-pointers and all six free throw attempts. Cochran has made eight of his last 10 3-point attempts over three games and is shooting 48 percent from 3-point range this season.

Roddenberry was 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free throw line. It was his fourth game with 20 or more points this season.

Harding made 13-of-14 free throws (92.9 percent), its sixth-best single-game effort at the line in program history.

Christian Brothers played without starting guard Harry Green, who was suspended for the game by head coach Mike Nienaber for a violation of team rules. Green scored 15 points in the first meeting of the season between the teams, a 68-63 Harding victory in Searcy in November.

The Bucs shot only 30.8 percent and missed 17 of its 22 3-pointers. Trey Casey led Christian Brothers with 14 points.

Senior guard Bradley Spencer, who appeared fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered early in the season, had 11 points, six rebounds and a team-high five assists. Junior Hayden Johnson added 10 points, all in the first half.

The game against Christian Brothers was Harding’s final non-conference game of the season. The Bisons play 17 straight Great American Conference games beginning with a home matchup with Southwestern Oklahoma State on Jan. 3. Tip-off at the Rhodes Field House is at 7:30 p.m.