SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team takes on No. 3 Delta State in the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament on Saturday at 2:45 p.m., in Southaven, Miss., at the DeSoto County Civic Center. It's the second straight year the Lady Bisons have advanced to the semifinals.

ON THE WEB: Live Statistics, Live Audio and Live Video will be available on hardingsports.com.

HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTERS

NOTES FOR THE GAME

Harding enters the game with an 18-9 overall record after defeating North Alabama in the first round of the GSC Tournament on Thursday. It was the third straight year the Lady Bisons have advanced past the first round. The Lady Bisons were the first No. 4 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed since 2008.

It's the second time Harding has met Delta State in the GSC Tournament. The Lady Bisons fell 79-53. Harding is 0-2 against GSC West Division teams in Tournament.

Harding will be the No. 4 seed from the West Division in the GSC Tournament. At the tournament, the Lady Bisons are 4-4. Harding is looking for their first berth to the GSC Tournament finals.

Three Lady Bisons received GSC honors this week. Junior guard Sierra Rollins received 1st Team All-GSC honors, Senior guard Bailey St. Clair received 2nd Team All-GSC Honors and freshman forward Kristen Celsor received the GSC West Division Freshman of the Year award.

Rollins has been playing very well of late, averaging a double-double in the last four games, 15.0 points and 12.8 rebounds.  In those games, Rollins is shooting 46.8 percent from the field. During conference play Rollins averages 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.  She leads Harding averaging 14.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. At the GSC Tournament the last three years, she has averaged 11.4 points and 9.0 rebounds. Against UNA on Thursday she had 16 points and 16 rebounds. In the two games against Delta State this season, she averaged 21.0 points and 10.5 rebounds. Rollins shot 63.0 percent from the field.

Senior guard Bailey St. Clair has combined for 56 points in the last two games for the Lady Bisons. She scored 27 against Henderson State to wrap up the regular season and tied a career high with 29 points against North Alabama. In those two games St. Clair shot 56.7 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the free throw line (18-of-24). She leads the GSC in steals per game with an average of 3.0 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 105-65 record at Harding.

Delta State

Delta State heads into the game with a 25-2 overall record after defeating West Alabama 69-65 in the first round of the GSC Tournament. The Lady Statesmen trailed for most of the game but regained the lead late to take the victory. One of the Lady Statesmen two losses came against the Lady Bisons earlier this season. Harding defeated then ranked No. 1 Delta State 69-66 in Searcy for the biggest upset in school history.  The tabled turned when the two teams met in Cleveland, Miss., as Delta State won 70-53.

The Lady Statesmen play tough defense as they rank first in the GSC in scoring defense (53.2 percent) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.1). Delta State hits the boards as they lead the GSC in rebounding margin (9.8), defensive rebounding percentage (71.7 percent) and are second in offensive rebounding percentage (39.7 percent).

The Lady Statesmen are led by Veronica Walker who averages 18.4 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. Sheena Johnson averages 10.4 points. Bug Cooper leads NCAA Division II averaging 9.1 assists per game.

The Series

Delta State leads the series between the two teams 20-3.