SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks to hold onto first place in the Great American Conference as they host Southwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 15-5 overall record and 8-2 GAC record.

Harding won their sixth straight game on Thursday as they defeated East Central 79-44. With the win, the Lady Bisons sealed a trip to the conference tournament on March 1-4. HU was led by freshman guard Montana Lewis who had 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Harding is led by sophomore forward Kristen Celsor who is averaging 12.1 points per game. Celsor has led the Lady Bisons in scoring in four games during the six-game winning streak. Freshman forward Arielle Saunders has led HU on the boards in the last two games.

Harding ranks first in the GAC in four categories - scoring defense (57.0), field goal percentage defense (35.1), blocked shots (4.0) and assist-to-turnover margin (0.9). HU is second in the conference in two other categories – scoring margin (12.4) and rebounding margin (+8.4).

Southwestern Oklahoma State heads into the game with a 13-8 overall record and an 8-3 GAC record. SWOSU was perfect in the first half of their GAC schedule with an 8-0 record. Since then, the Bulldogs have fallen in their last three outings including to Arkansas Tech on Thursday 101-87.

Southwestern Oklahoma State has four players that average in double-figure scoring. Leading the way is Darcie Dick who averages 16.6 points. Sumiya Darden is close behind her averaging 14.6 points. SaRaya Oyler averages 10.9 points and MaRiah Oyler averages 10.0 points.

SWOSU leads the series between the two teams 5-3. The Bulldogs defeated the Lady Bisons 66-61 in Weatherford earlier this season. Harding leads the series in Searcy 3-0. The Lady Bisons defeated SWOSU 60-48 in their last meeting in Searcy in 2000.

Check hardingsports.com under the Bisons event calendar for links to live stats, live audio and free live video.