Box Score

SEARCY, Ark. – The Harding women's basketball team continues their winning streak as they defeated Midwestern State, 71-60 Saturday night in Searcy, Ark. The win moves the Lady Bisons to 5-0 on the season for the best start since the 1998-99 season.

Both teams struggled out to the gate scoring a combined 20 points in the first 12 minutes of the contest. Harding took their largest lead on the night going up 22-13 with three minutes remaining before the break. The teams would exchange possession until 38 seconds remaining in the half when Mustang Andrea Buben scored on a layup to cut the Harding lead to seven. The Lady Bisons would take a 24-15 lead into halftime off a couple of Sierra Rollins free throws. It was the third fewest points the Lady Bisons have given up in a half since joining the Gulf South Conference in 2000. The fewest were against Delta State in 2005 when Harding only allowed 11 points before the halftime break.

Harding gradually extended their lead in the second half, leading by as much as 18 points on a Stacey Owens fast break layup with 3:44 remaining. The Mustangs wouldn't go away as they built up momentum on a 10-2 run that pulled them within eight of the Lady Bisons with 26 seconds to play. Sierra Rollins and Leah Fugett connected on their free throws down the stretch to seal the win for the Lady Bisons.

Sophomore guard Leah Fugett came off the bench to lead the Lady Bisons with 14 points for a season high. Senior forward Catherine McMenamy also had a season high 13 points for Harding. Junior forward Stacey Owens lead Harding with nine rebounds. Owens also added nine points for the Lady Bisons.

After shooting 36 percent from the field in the first half, the Lady Bisons bounced back and shot 53 percent in the second half. Both teams each had 25 turnovers. The Lady Bisons grabbed 18 steals on the night to the Mustangs 14.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action Tuesday night as they host GSC East Division foe North Alabama in the Rhodes Field House at 5:30 p.m.