Beginning the year as though they would take all the marbles, Harding's basketball squad faltered ncar the close of the season but still accumulated the most victories since the Bisons began intercollegiate cage competition in 1957. They finished with a 16-13 season mark and were 9-9 in conference play. Thanksgiving Day provided the setting for the opener, a 95-77 victory over Evangel. From then c ' , the Bisons rolled to an 8-3 mark by Christmas vacation. Immediately afterwards they won two of three games to take third place in the Holiday Basketball Tournament at Magnolia. Tied for the conference lead after eight games, Harding lost several close league decisions and fell to sixth place at the end of the season. This still earned a place in the post-season AlC tournament, where the Bisons crushed Tech, 97-81, in the opener before being edged by Arkansas College, 73-70, in the semifinal tilt. One sportswriter dubbed them "the most respected 9-9 team in AlC history" and his statement was well-founded. Harding became known for a potent offense which scored almost 100 points more than the defense allowed. The Bisons showed themselves capable of beating any team in the league on a given night. CENTER George Frazier proves that big men con jump well as he stretches for two timely points against Southern State. 209
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