Southaven, Miss. - Redshirt freshmen Jaime Smith and Zane Campbell combined for 40 points including some key baskets down the stretch as the UAH Chargers overcame a double-digit deficit to beat Harding 73-71 in the opening round of the Gulf South Conference tournament. The win moves UAH (22-5) into the tournament semifinals to face rival North Alabama on Saturday night. UNA advanced with an upset win over Delta State earlier on Friday.

The win, coupled with the loss by Delta State all but assures UAH a spot in the NCAA DII South Regional tournament next weekend. The Chargers will fine out for sure on Sunday night when the tournament field is released on the Selection Show on NCAA.com.

Right now, the Chargers have more business to deal with, thanks to Friday's dramatic comeback. For a while, it looked like the red-hot Chargers, who came into the tournament riding a seven game winning streak, would be a first round disappointment once again. 

The Chargers looked tentative in the opening half and struggled terribly on offense. UAH shot only 33 percent (8-for-24) in the first half, while Harding was an efficient 52.6 percent (10-for-19). However, the Bisons only led 31-27 at halftime.

Harding opened the second half with a 12-5 run, taking a double-digit lead at 43-32 with 15:52 left. Then, UAH started to heat up, chipping away at the Bison lead. When Derek Johnston knocked down a 3-pointer with 9:33 left, the Chargers were within four at 50-46. 

After the Bisons scored five straight to go back up 55-46, the Chargers answered with a 9-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer by Smith which tied the game at 55-all with 7:24 left. Then after a freethrow temporarily gave the lead back to Harding, Johnston drilled another one from deep, giving UAH a 58-56 with 6:06 left.

The lead seesawed back and forth down the stretch. A pair of freethrows by Campbell put the Chargers in front 67-66 with 1:03 left. When it was Harding's turn to answer, Bradley Spencer's 3-pointer rimmed out and Campbell grabbed the rebound. Campbell was fouled and made both of his freethrows to give UAH a 69-66 cushion with 42 seconds left. From there, Smith kept the Chargers in front by dropping his last four freethrows.

Smith led UAH with 22 points. He was 5-of-13 from the field, with four 3-pointers. He also was 8-for-8 from the freethrow line. He has now knocked down his last 22 freethrows and 31 of the last 32. Campbell tallied 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the line. Sophomore guard Josh Magette only scored six points, but he had 13 assists.

Kirk Porter and Stephen Blake had 16 points each to lead Harding. Spencer added 12 points and Kevin Brown contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.