Box Score
SOUTHAVEN, MISS. – Making their first ever trip to the Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Tournament, the Harding Lady Bisons looked like anything but rookies. Harding made 11 three-pointers and downed West Florida 86-62 on Wednesday at the DeSoto County Civic Center.
Harding (19-9) was the fourth-seed from the West Division and will meet 16th-ranked Valdosta State, the first-seed from the East Division, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
West Florida, making its fourth consecutive trip to the GSC Tournament, ended its season with a 13-15 overall record. The Argos previously lost to the Lady Bisons 71-47 in Pensacola, Fla., on Dec. 30.
West Florida led 23-18 with 9:31 left in the first half. Harding then went on a 20-1 run over the next six minutes to take a 38-24 advantage. Sophomore guard Catherine McMenamy scored the last 12 points of the run for the Lady Bisons.
McMenamy, who earned 1st Team All-GSC honors earlier in the week, scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting. She also had seven rebounds and three assists.
Harding led 41-27 at halftime and weathered an early second half rally from West Florida that cut the lead to eight points at 43-35 with 17:05 left. The Lady Bisons scored the next five points and led by 10 or more the rest of the way. Harding extended the lead to as many as 27 points in the second half.
The Lady Bisons received strong contributions off the bench, with the Harding reserves outscoring the West Florida bench 34-12. Freshman Kelsea Lyda scored 15 points, and junior Jasmine McClindon added 14.
Harding limited West Florida to only 39 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers. The Lady Bisons outscored the Argos 24-4 off turnovers.
Junior Karmeshia Easley and senior Abena Bosia each had 14 points to lead West Florida.
