SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team heads into postseason play for the sixth straight season as they travel to Bartlesville, Okla., to face Henderson State in the first round of the Great American Conference Tournament on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

Harding heads into the contest with a 16-10 overall record. HU will be the fourth seed after a 9-7 conference record.

Harding holds a 3-4 record in conference tournament action. The Lady Bisons are 2-2 when they are the fourth seed.

The Lady Bisons split with Henderson State during the regular season. HU defeated HSU 66-49 in Searcy but fell in Arkadelphia, 68-51. Sophomore forward Kristen Celsor played well in both games averaging 12.5 points and 10.0 rebounds.

Harding is led by Celsor who is averaging 13.9 points per game. Freshman forward Arielle Saunders has led HU on the boards in the last five games, averaging 10.0 rebounds a game.

Saunders needs eight more blocks (currently at 35) to set the single-season record currently held by Nancee Wilson (1989-93) who had 42 during the 1991-92 season.

Harding ranks first in the GAC in three categories - scoring defense (60.4), field goal percentage defense (36.3) and blocked shots (3.8). HU is second in the conference in scoring margin (6.8).

Henderson State heads into the game with a 14-12 overall record. HSU had a 7-9 record in the GAC during the regular season, earning them the five seed in the tournament. The Lady Reddies have won their last three games.

HSU is led by Cheree Freeman who averages 13.7 points. Crystal Harrison also averages double-figures with 10.6 points per game. Destiny Smith leads the Lady Reddies on the boards averaging 7.6 rebounds per game.

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