SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks for their second straight win as they travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to take on Henderson State to start the second half of the Gulf South Conference action. The Lady Bisons look to improve on a 10-9 overall record and a 3-4 GSC West Division record.
LAST TIME: When the two teams met earlier this season, Danielle Reiher hit two free throws with 0.8 seconds left to seal a 76-75 win over the Lady Reddies. Henderson State committed 31 fouls in the game with four players fouling out. Harding attempted 46 free throws in the contest and made 29, tying for tenth most made in a game. Junior guard Bailey St. Clair was perfect from the charity strip, hitting 12-12 on the night. She hit two crucial free throws with 10 seconds left to give the Lady Bisons a two-point lead.
COACHES: Harding is coached by Tim Kirby, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the Lady Bisons. Kirby has a 79-54 career record. Kirby took over the Lady Bison program before the 2005-06 season after serving 12 seasons as the Harding's men's basketball assistant.
Henderson State is coached by Josh Matthews, who is in his fourth year as the head coach of the Lady Reddies. Matthews has compiled a 44-38 record at Henderson State.
THE LADY BISONS: Harding is coming off a 76-62 win over Ouachita Baptist this past Saturday in GSC action. The Lady Bisons grabbed a staggering 61 rebounds in the contest, tying for second most in Harding history. It was the most rebounds since joining the GSC in 2000 and the most since 1994. Senior forward Stacey Owens captured a double-double and ended with 27 points and 11 rebounds in the game. Sophomore guard Sierra Rollins also captured a double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Six Lady Bisons had over five rebounds in the contest.
The Lady Bisons are averaging 13.6 points off second chance opportunities. Harding averages 13.5 offensive rebounds a game. Bailey St. Clair leads the Lady Bisons in rebounds, averaging 5.5 a game. Three of her almost six rebounds a game, are offensive rebounds, ranking eighth in the GSC.
Rollins is shooting 53.3 percent from the field to lead the Lady Bisons. She has really come on strong of late, averaging 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in the last three games. Rollins is second on the team in rebounds, averaging 5.1 a game.
The Lady Bisons are averaging 11.9 steals per game, ranking them second in the GSC and 30th in the NCAA. St. Clair leads the GSC in steals per game with an average of 3.1.
Owens leads the Lady Bisons, averaging 13.5 points per game, ranking her ninth in the GSC in scoring. St. Clair is close behind her averaging 12.8 points per game.
THE LADY REDDIES: Henderson State (13-9, 4-3 GSC) is coming off a big when this past Saturday as they defeated #6 Delta State 68-55. The Lady Reddies shot 51.1 percent from the field in the game and held Delta State to shooting 33.3 percent from the field.
Henderson State ranks second in the GSC in scoring offense, averaging 73.6 points per game. The Lady Reddies rank third in the GSC in three-point field goals made, averaging 6.6 a game. Henderson State leads the GSC in fouls committed with 521. The Lady Reddies have committed 111 more fouls than second place who is Arkansas-Monticello with 410.
Danyelle Harris leads Henderson State, averaging 13.0 points per game. Jasmine Ellis and Janisha Young each average 10 points per game for the Lady Reddies.
SERIES: Henderson State leads the series, 16-21. Harding is 5-13 in Arkadelphia. Last win in Arkadelphia was 2/17/07.
