SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks for another upset as they travel to Russellville, Ark., on Thursday to take on No. 5 Arkansas Tech in Gulf South Conference action. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m., at Tucker Coliseum.
ON THE WEB: Live statistics and Live Audio will be available on hardingsports.com.
HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTERS
NOTES FOR THE GAME
Harding enters the game with a 13-4 overall record and a 4-1 GSC West Division record after picking up their fourth straight GSC win on Monday, defeating Arkansas-Monticello 52-40.
It will be the second time this season the Lady Bisons have faced a team ranked in the top five in NCAA Division II. The Lady Bisons upset No. 1 Delta State 69-66 earlier this season.
Junior guard Sierra Rollins leads the Lady Bisons, averaging 13.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. In GSC play, Rollins is averaging 17.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Senior guard Bailey St. Clair is the other Lady Bison averaging double-figures for the Lady Bisons, averaging 11.5 points per game. St. Clair has also stepped up her game in conference play averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Harding ranks in the top 10 in the NCAA Division II in two categories: field-goal percentage defense and steals per game. Harding ranks eighth in field-goal percentage defense (33.7) and ranks ninth in steals per game (14.0). Harding also ranks first in the GSC in both categories.
The Lady Bisons have been hitting the boards. Harding is grabbing the defensive rebound 70.6 percent of the time and the offensive rebound 41.5 percent of the time. Harding in second in the GSC in offensive rebounds averaging 16.1 a game. In the four game conference win streak, the Lady Bisons have outrebounded their opponent in each game by 9.2 rebounds.
If the Lady Bisons pick up the win on Thursday it will be Head Coach Tim Kirby's 100th career win at Harding. Kirby, who is in his 6th season as head coach of the Lady Bisons. has compiled a 99-61 record at Harding.
Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech heads into the game with a 14-2 overall record and a 3-1 GSC West Division record. The Golden Suns are coming off a 68-58 loss to Delta State on Saturday. Their other loss on the season came against GSC East Division team West Alabama 85-72 in non-conference action.
The Golden Suns have three players that average double-figures scoring. Leading the way is Natalia Santos who averages 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. Jenny Vining averages 13.4 points and Jessica Weatherford averages 12.6 points.
Arkansas Tech leads the GSC in scoring offense, averaging 83.5 points per game. The Golden Suns lead the GSC in scoring margin, averaging 23.1 points per game. Tech also leads the GSC field-goal percentage (51.8) and 3-point field goal percentage (39.6).
Arkansas Tech averages 20.1 assists per game, ranking them first in the GSC.
Vining has made 48 3-pointers on the season, ranking her first in the GSC. She also ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage (47.1).
The Series
ATU leads the series between the two teams 47-2. The Lady Bisons lost 62-61 in Russellville last season.
