SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks to bounce back after a loss as they host East Central at 2 p.m., in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the game with an 11-5 overall record and a 7-3 GAC record.
The game on Saturday will start the second half of the GAC season. East Central defeated HU in Ada, Okla., 53-46 earlier this season. Harding was led by sophomore guard Shana Holmes who had 18 points, hitting 7-of-16 from the field. ECU leads the series between the two teams 5-4.
HU is coming off a 50-43 loss to Arkansas Tech on Thursday. The loss snapped an eight game winning streak and was the first GAC loss at home this season. Junior guard Lauren Crenshaw led HU with 17 points, hitting three 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders had 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. It was the second-straight game she has had a double-double.
Harding is led on the season by Kristen Celsor who averages 14.7 points per game which ranks eighth in the GAC. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes averages 13.4 points, which ranks ninth in the GAC and sophomore forward Arielle Saunders averages 11.1 points.
Arielle Saunders leads HU on the boards averaging 8.8 a game which ranks fourth in the GAC. Kristen Celsor ranks sixth in the GAC (7.8 rpg) and sophomore guard Montana Lewis ranks eighth in the GAC (7.1 rpg).
The Lady Bisons rank first in the GAC in scoring defense as they only allow their opponents to score 58.5 points per game.
In the first half of the conference season, Harding has outscored their opponents by 8.4 points per game, shot 38 percent from the field and grabbed 43.3 rebounds per game which is 4.5 more than opponents per game. Harding also averaged 4.1 blocks a game. Arielle Saunders is averaging a double-double in GAC play with 11.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.
East Central heads into the game with a 13-3 overall record and an 8-2 GAC record. ECU is in a three-way tie for first place in the GAC with Ouachita Baptist and Arkansas Tech.
The Lady Tigers are coming off a 98-85 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday. ECU had seven players in double-figure scoring. Sophomore forward Dilan Webster and senior guard Kodi Morrison each had 17 points. East Central made 22-of-30 free throws and shot 46.5 percent from the field.
East Central leads the GAC in field goal percentage defense (33.2 percent), assists (15.6) and assist/turnover ratio (1.0). The Lady Tigers rank second in the GAC in scoring margin (9.2), 3-point field goal percentage (36.6) and 3-point field goals made (5.6).
Dilan Webster leads ECU in scoring averaging 11.8 points and Lindsay McCown averages 11.1 points. East Central has four players that average six rebounds a game – Webster, McCown, Ashley Robison and Alyscea Price.
Check Hardingsports.com for links to live stats and live video.
