Game Notes

SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team travels to Arkadelphia, Ark., on Thursday to face Henderson State in Great American Conference action at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 7-4 overall record and a 3-2 GAC record.

Harding has won its last four games including its last two GAC games against Southwestern Oklahoma State (69-61) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (60-46). In the last four games, the Lady Bisons have held their opponents to shooting 31.5 percent from the field and 23.0 percent from behind the 3-point line. They have also outscored their opponents by an average of 11.3 points.

During the winning streak, junior forward Kristen Celsor is averaging 19.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. Celsor has grabbed 11 or more rebounds in three of the four games. She is also averaging 2.3 steals.

Harding has three players that average over 10 points per game. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes ranks sixth in the GAC and leads HU, averaging 14.5 points. Kristen Celsor is close behind, averaging 14.4 points and ranked seventh in the GAC. Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders averages 10.5 points.

Arielle Saunders leads HU on the boards, averaging 8.1 rebounds a game which ranks fourth in the GAC. Kristen Celsor ranks eighth in GAC (7.2) and Montana Lewis ranks ninth (6.8). Harding is the only team in the GAC that has three players ranked in the top 10 in rebounds.

Harding ranks second in the GAC in scoring defense and allow their opponents only 60.8 points per game.

The Lady Bisons average 8.1 steals per game and are led by Kristen Celsor who ranks second in the GAC averaging 2.0 steals.

Henderson State heads into the game with an 8-3 overall record and a 3-2 GAC record. The Lady Reddies are coming off a 64-60 loss at Southern Nazarene last Saturday. Before the loss, HSU won five straight. Henderson State is 5-1 at home this season with its only loss coming against East Central, 63-60.

The Lady Reddies are led by junior guard Krystal Beachum who ranks fifth in the GAC in scoring, averaging 15.5 points. Senior forward Destiny Smith leads the GAC in rebounding, averaging 11.7. She has had over 15 rebounds in a game three times this season.

Henderson State leads the series between the two teams 23-21. Harding is 7-14 in Arkadelphia. Last season, HU defeated HSU in Searcy (66-49) but fell in Arkadelphia (68-51). The Lady Bisons defeated the Lady Reddies 78-52 in the first round of the GAC Tournament in Bartlesville, Okla.

Check Hardingsports.com for the live stats link.