08 Dec 2021 Harding player hits season high in loss to Texas A&M-Commerce

COMMERCE, Texas — Sophomore Taylor Currie scored 24 points and Stetson Smithson had his fourth double-double of the season but Texas A&M-Commerce came from behind to defeat Harding 94-83 Monday in nonconference action at the A&M-Commerce Field House.

Harding dropped to 3-5 overall and returns to Great American Conference play Saturday at Arkansas-Monticello. Texas A&M-Commerce, picked eighth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, improved to 4-0.

Currie connected on 11 of 13 shots for his fifth game of the season with 20 or more points. Senior Ramiro Santiago added a season-high 17 points. Smithson had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Henderson scored 11, his third consecutive game in double figures.

Currie hit a jumper in the paint to give Harding a 53-51 lead with 11:50 left in the game. A&M-Commerce responded with a 12-2 run and jumped out to a 65-55 lead with 8:44 remaining.

Harding cut the lead to eight at 75-67 with 4:52 left, but A&M-Commerce scored seven straight points to pull away.

Clashon Gaffney led A&M-Commerce with 19 points. The Lions had five players with 12 points or more.

Harding led 33-32 at halftime, but A&M-Commerce shot 62% from the field, connected on seven 3-points, and hit 13 of 16 free throws to score 62 points in the second half.

The Bisons shot 52% for the game, its second straight game over 50% and third of the season.