SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team opens the 2011-12 campaign on the road on Friday as they travel to Joplin, Mo., to face Missouri Southern St., at 7 p.m. It's the first time since the 2009-10 season the Lady Bisons have opened on the road.

Harding returns nine players from last year's squad, including three starters – Sierra Rollins, Kallie Bartee and Kristen Celsor.

The Lady Bisons went 1-2 in their three exhibition games against NCAA Division I opponents. HU lost to Missouri State 88-56 and Missouri-Kansas City 88-73 but defeated Lipscomb 51-45 this past Saturday. Rollins led the Lady Bisons in the exhibition games averaging 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Rollins, first team All-Gulf South Conference last season, led Harding last season to an 18-10 overall record (8-6 GSC) averaging 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

Harding has four newcomers that are already making an impact for the Lady Bisons. Shana Holmes, Tabitha Haney and Arielle Saunders have all started in the preseason games and Montana Lewis has come off the bench for HU.

Missouri Southern St., a NCAA Division II member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, went 17-10 overall and 15-7 in the MIAA last season. The Lions return four starters from last year's squad including Erin Rice who averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds for MSSU.

When the teams take the court on Friday it will be the first meeting between the teams.

Link to live stats will be available on hardingsports.com.