ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders made two free throws with 14 seconds left to lead the Harding women's basketball team past Henderson State 57-56 on Thursday in Great American Conference action. It was the fifth straight win by the Lady Bisons and their first road conference win this season.

Henderson State went on a 6-0 run with 2:48 left in the game to take a 56-55 lead with 22 seconds left. After Saunders' free throws, the Lady Reddies got the ball back. Senior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce blocked HSU's shot at the buzzer to give HU the win.

Saunders led HU (8-4, 4-3 GAC) with 18 points, hitting 10-of-10 from the free throw line. She also had two blocks and two steals. Junior forward Kristen Celsor added 12 points for HU.

The Lady Bisons shot 50 percent from the field in the first half (11-of-22) and led at halftime 31-21. Henderson State held HU to shooting 23.1 percent in the second half but Harding made 13-of-16 free throws (81.3 percent) to stay in it.

Henderson State (8-4, 3-3 GAC) was led by junior guard Krystal Beachum who hit 11-of-20 from the field and finished with 27 points. Beachum was also perfect from the free throw line, hitting 4-of-4.

The Lady Reddies outrebounded the Lady Bisons 44-29. HSU was led by senior forward Destiny Smith who grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds and freshman guard Dulincia Keener grabbed 11.

Harding forced 19 HSU turnovers and turned them into 21 points.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Saturday as they host Ouachita Baptist at 5:30 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.