Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Junior guard Sierra Rollins and senior guard Bailey St. Clair combined for 54 points as the Harding women's basketball team picked up their first Gulf South Conference victory against Southern Arkansas 78-65 on Thursday night. The Lady Bisons improved to 10-4 on the season and 1-1 in the GSC West Division.

Rollins hit 14-of-19 from the field and finished with a career-high 34 points. Stacey Owens (2006-09) was the last Lady Bison to score more than 30 points with 31 against North Alabama in Jan. 2010. Rollins' career high tied for seventh-most by a Lady Bison and tied for most by a Harding player in a GSC game. Rollins also had a team high 10 rebounds for her four double-double of the season.

St. Clair shot over 50 percent from the field (7-of-14) and went onto score 20 points for the Lady Bisons. It was the second straight game St. Clair has scored over 20 points.  She also had a game-high five steals.

The Lady Muleriders (1-11, 0-2 GSC West) came out of the gate bucking and took a seven point lead in the first five minutes of the game. The Lady Bisons answered back on an 8-4 run as they tied the game 18-18 with 12:04 left in the first half. Both teams kept it close for the remainder of the half as Harding took a 34-33 lead into halftime. The Lady Bisons rallied after the break as they went on a 9-0 run in the first five minutes of the second half.   Southern Arkansas tried to mount a comeback but Harding's defense didn't allow it. The Lady Bisons kept building on their lead and led by as much as 17 with 5:50 left in the game. The Lady Muleriders tried one last rally but the Lady Bisons hit 4-of-4 from the free throw line to take home the victory.

Southern Arkansas had three players finish in double-figure scoring. Cha'Kia Lee and Goldie White each finished with 15 points. Shenelda Levingston scored 12 points for the Lady Muleriders.

After only shooting 37 percent from the field in the first half (10-of-27), the Lady Bisons finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field (28-of-56).  

Harding made over 20 free throws in the game (20-of-29). It was the second straight game the Lady Bisons have made over 20 free throws and the fourth time this season.

Harding outscored Southern Arkansas 52-18 in the paint. It was the second time this season the Lady Bisons have made over 50 points in the paint. Harding scored 62 against Champion Baptist.

Harding outrebounded Southern Arkansas 37-26 in the game.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Saturday as they host No. 1 Delta State at 5:30 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House in Searcy, Ark.