Tigers drop season opener at Harding

The Ouachita Baptist men’s basketball team erased a 10-point deficit but ultimately fell 84-77 at Harding in the first game of the season for both teams Thursday night. The Tigers (0-1) outrebounded the Bisons (1-0) 43-36 but could not turn that edge into an advantage on the scoreboard.

Sophomore forward Leon Kalinic recorded career highs in points (16) and rebounds and rebounds (8) in 16 minutes off the bench. Senior guard Kendarious Smith and junior forward Ma’Darius Hobson added 15 points each.

The Tigers used a 13-0 second-half run to take the lead after falling to a 10-point deficit shortly after intermission. Most of the second half was a back-and-forth affair, but Harding pulled away late, outscoring Ouachita 10-4 over the final 2:15.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

Smith, who exited the game with an injury late in the second half, brought his career total to 815 points. He would need to average 10.0 points over a full 20-game schedule to join the Tigers’ 1,000-point club.

Six different Tigers made their Ouachita debuts Thursday, including Alex Scariolo, Ma’Darius Hobson, Marvin Williams-Dunn, DJ Kane, Kobe Dunlap, and Deaveon Bankston.

Senior forward Matt Stanley started Thursday’s game, completing a return from an injury that prematurely ended his 2019-20 campaign.

43 - The Tigers’ 43 rebounds equaled their fourthmost over the last three seasons.

17 - Ouachita scored 17 points off turnovers, compared to Harding’s eight

5 - Williams-Dunn recorded five assists off the bench in his collegiate debut

100 - Kalinic’s career night gave him an even 100 career points.

UP NEXT

The Tigers head to Magnolia, Arkansas, on Saturday to take on Southern Arkansas.