Harding University spoiled Arkansas Tech’s bid for a third consecutive Gulf South Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament championship by defeating the Wonder Boys 80-61 in the 2011 title game at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss., on Sunday evening.
The Bisons (25-4) earned their first GSC men’s basketball title and established a new school record for wins in a season. Arkansas Tech (24-5) saw its eight-game winning streak at the GSC Tournament come to an end.
Harding took control with a 19-3 run over a span of 6:06 midway through the first half. The spurt gave the Bisons a 30-13 lead and they never looked back.
The Wonder Boys got back within nine points of the lead early in the second half, but Harding slammed the door with eight straight points to take a 54-37 lead with 11:29 to go.
The Bisons went on to lead by as many as 25 points while avenging two regular season losses to Arkansas Tech.
Kevin Brown led Harding with 19 points.
Jeremy Dunbar had 14 points, James Causey notched 13 points and Jared Williamson netted 12 points for the Wonder Boys. Laithe Massey added eight points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The Wonder Boys are expected to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, which will begin next weekend.
Click here to follow the announcement of the field for the NCAA Tournament as it is made at 9 p.m. Sunday.
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