Box Score

SEARCY – Senior guard Bailey St. Clair made 14-of-16 free throws and scored 24 points as the Harding women's basketball team defeated Henderson State 83-74 in Gulf South Conference action Saturday. The Lady Bisons improved to 14-5 overall and 5-2 in the GSC West Division. The win marked the 100th career victory by the Lady Bisons Head Coach Tim Kirby.

The Lady Bisons jumped out to a 17-5 lead to start the game and forced the Lady Reddies to miss their first nine shots. Harding took advantage of Henderson State missed fortunes and built on their lead, leading by as much as 15 with 4:57 left in the first half. The Lady Bisons took a 39-29 lead into halftime.

The Lady Reddies bounced back in the second half, cutting the Harding lead to two in the first three minutes. Henderson State pulled within one with 13:26 left when Cheree Freeman scored a fast break layup. Harding battled back and took a 65-55 lead when freshman forward Kristen Celsor hit a fast break layup with 6:51 left. Henderson State had one final rally with 40 seconds remaining when Jazmine Ellis hit a 3-pointer to pull the Lady Reddies to within five. Harding made 5-of-6 free throws in the remaining seconds to seal the victory.

Junior guard Sierra Rollins battled cramps during the game but scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Lady Bisons. Celsor made 4-of-7 from the field and finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Reddies (11-8, 2-5 GSC) was led by Freeman who had 14 points. Nyesha Adams and Ellis each had 13 points for HSU.

Harding held Henderson State to shooting 31.9 percent in the game (23-of-72). The Lady Bisons shot 47.9 percent from the field (23-of-48).

Each team shot over 40 free throws in the game. Harding made 34-of-45 (75.6 percent) and Henderson State made 23-of-41 (56.1 percent).

The Lady Reddies outscored the Lady Bisons in the second half, 45-44. It was the most points Harding has given up in a half this season.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to face Ouachita Baptist at 5:30 p.m.