Box Score

SEARCY — Arkansas-Monticello's Bethaney Turner tied the game on a last-second jumper, and the Cotton Blossoms took advantage of Harding's missed opportunities in the overtime to earn a 94-89 victory at the Rhodes Field House on Saturday night.

Neither Harding (13-4, 1-4 Gulf South Conference) nor Arkansas-Monticello (12-4, 4-1) was able to pull away. Harding led by as many as seven early in the game, and the Cotton Blossoms' largest lead was not until overtime. The lead changed hands 23 times, and the game was tied 13 times.

Harding freshman Sierra Rollins was fouled on a layup attempt with 20 seconds remaining. Rollins, who finished with a career-high 10 points, hit both free throws to give Harding a 78-76 lead.

Sophomore Leah Fugett stole the ball on the Cotton Blossoms' following possession, but she missed both free throws with six seconds left to give Arkansas-Monticello one more chance. Turner, who led all scorers with 25 points, drove and scored a jumper in the lane to tie the game 78-78 as the second half expired.

In overtime, sophomore Makala McNair scored a three-pointer to give the Lady Bisons an 87-83 lead with 2:16 left, but Turner answered with a three-pointer to close Harding's lead to one point. Monica Perkins-Miller gave the Cotton Blossoms the lead for good 88-87 on a layup.

The Lady Bisons had opportunities to rally but could not make a field goal in the last minute of overtime as the Cotton Blossoms extended their lead on free throws.

Junior Stacey Owens led the Lady Bisons with 18 points, and senior Ashley Anderson added 17 points. Senior Catherine McMenamy scored 13 points on 5 of 8 field goals, and freshman Lindsey Root had 11 points in only 11 minutes.

Although the Lady Bisons outscored Arkansas-Monticello 54-28 from the lane, Harding occasionally struggled with accuracy from inside. Harding missed 11 shots near the basket during the second half and overtime period.

Junior Kaitlin May recorded a career-high 12 assists and also led the Lady Bisons with six assists.