SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team opens their 2012-13 campaign at home on Saturday as they host Christian Brothers in non-conference action at 5:30 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.

The Lady Bisons went 1-2 in their exhibition season against NCAA Div. I teams. Harding defeated Oral Roberts 68-54 and fell to Wichita State 88-47 and Western Kentucky 96-64. It was the second straight year HU has won an exhibition game over a Div. I team. Harding defeated Lipscomb 51-45 last season.

The Lady Bisons were led by sophomore guard Shana Holmes who averaged 17.7 points in the three exhibition games.

Harding returns four starters from last year's team – Montana Lewis, Tabitha Haney, Arielle Saunders and Kristen Celsor. Celsor was named All-GAC last season and Lewis was named GAC Freshman of the Year. Saunders was also named to the All-GAC Tournament Team. The Lady Bisons were picked to finish first in the GAC in the preseason coaches poll.

Harding compiled an 18-11 overall record last season and finished in fourth place in the Great American Conference standings with a 9-7 record.  The Lady Bisons finished second in the GAC Tournament. Harding fell to Southwestern Oklahoma State 69-58 in the finals.

Christian Brothers also returns four starters from last season that went 5-22 overall and finished eighth in the Gulf South Conference with a 2-12 record. CBU's top returner is senior guard Jessica Green who averaged 8.0 points last season.

Harding leads the series 20-18. The Lady Bisons have won the last five meetings, including both games last season. HU defeated CBU, 74-56 in Searcy and 82-54 in Memphis, Tenn.

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