SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks for another big upset on Thursday as they host No. 4 Arkansas Tech in Gulf South Conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons will honor three seniors after the game: Brittany Gottsponer, Danielle Reiher, and Bailey St. Clair.
ON THE WEB: Live Statistics, Live Video and Live Audio will be available on hardingsports.com.
HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTERS
NOTES FOR THE GAME
Harding enters the game with a 17-7 overall record and an 8-4 GSC West Division record after defeating Christian Brothers 50-44 on Saturday. The Lady Bisons have already clinched a spot at the GSC Tournament on March 3-6 but they are still fighting for seeding. Currently Harding is fourth in the GSC West Division.
Junior guard Sierra Rollins has been playing very well of late, averaging a double-double in the last four games. She leads Harding averaging 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. In the last four games, Rollins is shooting 52.8 percent from the field and averaging 4.5 assists per game. During conference play Rollins averages 17.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Senior guard Bailey St. Clair averages 12.0 points per game. St. Clair leads the GSC in steals per game with an average of 3.1 a game. Fellow senior forward Danielle Reiher has stepped up her game of late. In the last two games she is shooting 52.9 percent from the field (9-of-17) and 50 percent from behind the 3-point line (3-of-6).
During conference play, Harding ranks first in the GSC in free throw percentage (73.8). The Lady Bisons have made 208 free throws and average 17.3 a game.
Harding is coached by Tim Kirby, who is in his 6th season as head coach of the Lady Bisons. He has compiled a 104-63 record at Harding.
Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech heads into the game with a 22-2 overall record and an 11-1 GSC West Division record. Currently the Golden Suns are in first place in the GSC West Division after defeating Delta State on Saturday 72-62. ATU has won their last eight games and their only conference loss came against Delta State.
Arkansas Tech ranks in the top ten in NCAA Division II in six categories. The Golden Suns rank first in field-goal percentage (51.9 percent), rank third in scoring margin (22.8), rank third in assists per game (20.6), rank fourth in scoring offense (84.1 percent), and rank fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (39.9 percent).
Arkansas Tech has three players that average in double-figure scoring. Natalia Santos leads the way averaging 17.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Jenny Vinning averages 14.2 points and shoots 46.2 percent from behind the 3-point line. Jessica Weatherford averages 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
The Series
Arkansas Tech leads the series 48-2. Harding has lost the last four meetings, including a 67-77 loss earlier this season in Russellville, Ark.
