Bolivar, Mo. - SBU men's basketball begins a two game non-conference stint before GLVC action. Starting Thursday evening, the team will take on the Harding Bisons in Arkansas then return home for a Thanksgiving week game against Calvary College in Bolivar. 
 
The Bearcats enter these two games with a 2-1 record and currently on a two game win streak defeating Ohio Dominican and Ecclesia College. It has been the defense highlighting the Bearcats play so far this season holding their opponents to 57.3 PPG, which is #7 in the Nation. Another important aspect to their game is keeping their opponent off the free throw line being 6th in the Nation in fouls per game at 11.7. They'll use these advantages as they battle a fierce Division II opponent Thursday evening.
 
This is the second straight season these two programs have battled with the Bisons winning last year in the Meyer Center. Harding enters this game with a 1-2 record, falling to MIAA opponents Arkansas Fort Smith and Rogers State in the opening weekend. Their last game against Christian Brothers was a convincing 70-48 victory giving them momentum into this matchup. This game will take place Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Searcy, Arkansas.
 
Following the weekend, Southwest Baptist will take on Calvary College in the Meyer Center ahead of Thanksgiving break. This is the first matchup between these two opponents in recent history. Calvary is a member of the NCCAA and currently has a 1-2 record on the season with games against Truman State and Central Methodist prior to this game which will take place Monday at 7:00 p.m.