Audio of Final Minutes of Game


Postgame Interview with Head Coach Tim Kirby



Russellville Courier-News Story

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore forward Kristen Celsor scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Harding women's basketball team past No. 9 Arkansas Tech 77-69 on Monday night in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons improved to 11-5 overall and 4-2 in the GAC.

The win by HU snapped an ATU 42 game home winning streak. It was the longest active winning streak in NCAA Division II. The win was the first time the Lady Bisons have defeated the Golden Suns in Russellville. HU's last win against ATU was in 2009 as the Lady Bisons defeated the Golden Suns 80-48 in Searcy.

 It was the first win for the Lady Bisons over a ranked team since HU defeated, then ranked No. 1, Delta State 69-66 in 2011. The win was only the second road victory over a ranked team since joining the NCAA in 1997. It snapped a 17 game road losing streak to ranked opponents. HU defeated Abilene Christian 72-68 in 1999.

Celsor made a career high eight field goals (8-of-15) and also made a career-high four 3-pointers (4-of-6). She was also 7-of -12 from the free throw line. It's the second straight game Celsor has led the Lady Bisons in scoring. She scored 18 last Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma State, her previous career high.

Two other Lady Bisons finished in double-figure scoring. Senior guard Sierra Rollins finished with 18 points, making 6-of-11 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Freshman guard Tabitha Haney scored 13 points for HU, hitting three 3-pointers. She also had a career-high five assists.

The Lady Bisons had a strong first half as they shot 57.6 percent from the field, including 53.3 percent from behind the 3-point line. Harding took a 49-38 lead into halftime. It was the most points scored in the first half by the Lady Bisons this season.

Arkansas Tech tied the game at 66 when junior forward Jessica Weatherford hit a lay-up for the Golden Suns with 2:59 left to play. Haney then hit a big 3-pointer for the Lady Bisons to give HU a three point lead. Arkansas Tech went 1-of-4 from the field in the last minutes as Harding made 6-of-7 free throws to seal the victory.

Arkansas Tech (11-3 overall, 2-3 GAC) was led by senior forward Natalia Santos who had 24 points. Jessica Weatherford made 8-of-12 from the field and finished with 17 points. Katie Horsman made five 3-pointers and ended with 15 points. Roselis Silva had 11 assists for the Golden Suns.

The Lady Bisons outrebounded the Golden Suns 41-30.

Harding will play their second of three games this week on Thursday as they host Arkansas-Monticello at 5:30 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.