Game Notes

SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team will play their first of two road games to finish the season on Thursday as they travel to Arkansas-Monticello in Great American Conference action. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

Harding (16-8, 9-5 GAC) looks to go above .500 on the road in conference play. Currently the Lady Bisons are 3-3 on the road in the GAC. Their three wins came at East Central, Arkansas Tech and Southern Arkansas.

Harding is currently tied for third place in the GAC standings. Ouachita Baptist also has a 9-5 record in the conference. The Lady Tigers will host No. 13 Arkansas Tech on Thursday.

Harding defeated UAM in Searcy earlier this season 67-44. Sophomore forward Kristen Celsor led HU with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her only double-double on the season. As a team, the Lady Bisons shot 50.9 percent from the field (27-of-53) and held the Cotton Blossoms to shooting 30.0 percent (15-of-50). UAM leads the series between the two teams 29-24. They also lead in Monticello, 16-10.

Harding is led by Celsor who is averaging 13.5 points per game. Freshman forward Arielle Saunders has led HU on the boards in the last three games, averaging 11.0 rebounds a game.

Saunders needs nine more blocks (currently at 34) to set the single-season record currently held by Nancee Wilson (1989-93) who had 42 during the 1991-92 season. As a team, the Lady Bisons need two more blocks to set the single season block record of 97 set in the 1991-92 season.

Harding ranks first in the GAC in four categories - scoring defense (59.5), field goal percentage defense (35.6), blocked shots (4.0) and assist-to-turnover margin (0.9). HU is second in the conference in two other categories – scoring margin (6.6) and assists (14.9).

Arkansas-Monticello heads into the game with a 10-14 overall record and a 6-8 GAC record after winning their last two games. The Cotton Blossoms defeated East Central 65-45 and Southern Arkansas 66-56. Since the last time UAM faced Harding, Arkansas-Monticello has only lost two games, Arkansas Tech 77-76 and Southwestern Oklahoma State 72-52.

The Cotton Blossoms are led by Alex Hart who averages 14.6 points. Chelsea Johnson is close behind her averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

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