Box Score

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Harding women's basketball team opened the 2011-12 season with a 68-50 win over Missouri Southern State on Friday night in non-conference action. It's the second straight season the Lady Bisons have opened the season with a win.

Senior guard Sierra Rollins captured her first double-double of the season as she led the Lady Bisons with a game-high 16 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

After leading 41-27 at the half, Harding extended their lead to as much as 18 at the 11:45 mark. The Lady Bisons didn't allow the Lions to get any closer than 11 the rest of the way as they held MSSU to shooting 28 percent (7-of-25) in the half and 28.3 percent for the game.

Harding also had two other players in double-figure scoring. Senior forward Kallie Bartee came off the bench and scored 11 points. Freshman guard Tabitha Haney made a game-high two 3-pointers and finished with 10 points.

The Lady Bisons led on the boards 45-32 with 15 being on the offensive end.

Missouri Southern State (0-1) was led by Erin Rice who shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line and finished with 14 points.

Harding will be back in action next Tuesday as they travel to Memphis to take on Christian Brothers at 5 p.m.