Box Score
SEARCY – Henderson State reserve guard Keisha Blackwell dribbled the length of the floor with four seconds remaining and hit a layup as time expired to give the 11th-ranked Lady Reddies a 73-72 win over Harding, Saturday at the Rhodes Field House.
Harding (8-11, 0-8 Gulf South Conference) had taken a 72-71 lead on a baseline jumper by freshman Catherine McMenamy, but it was not enough for the Lady Bisons to get their first win over a ranked team since an upset of #11 Central Arkansas in 2003.
McMenamy’s shot came just after Blackwell connected on three straight free throws to give the Lady Reddies a 71-70 advantage with 13 seconds left.
Henderson State (17-2, 7-1) won for the 13th time in its last 14 games and won its seventh straight over Harding.
Harding led 38-32 at halftime after Henderson State shot only 29% from the field in the first half. Seven of the Lady Reddies’ 11 field goals were three-pointers.
The Lady Bisons built the lead to 16 points at 68-48 on an Ashley Dixon jumper with 7:57 left.
Henderson State then went on an 18-2 run over the next five minutes to tie the game at 66 with 2:59 remaining.
Harding junior Jasmine McClindon led all scorers with 24 points and shot 4-of-8 from three-point range. It was her third 24-point game of the season.
McMenamy contributed her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It was her second straight game with 10 rebounds. Dixon and Chelsea Simpson each had 10 points for the Lady Bisons.
Blackwell and Ashley Perry each had 19 points to lead Henderson State.
Harding will face its second straight ranked opponent Thursday night in Cleveland, Miss., when it takes on 13th-ranked Delta State.
