Harding (0-0) at Arkansas-Fort Smith (0-0), Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Harding vs. Northeastern State (0-0), Saturday at 12 p.m.
Location: Fort Smith, Ark.
Coaches:
Harding – Tim Kirby (141-87, 9th season);
Arkansas-Fort Smith– Louis Whorton (28th season);
Northeastern State – Randy Gipson (14th season)
Live Stats/Live Video – Available on a link at HardingSports.com
Harding
- Since joining the NCAA in 1997, Harding has opened its season on the road 11 times and has a 13-3 record.
- Harding returns all five starters from last season – junior guard Montana Lewis, junior guard Shana Holmes, junior guard Tabitha Haney, junior forward Arielle Saunders and senior forward Kristen Celsor.
- The Lady Bisons were led by Kristen Celsor last season. She averaged 14.9 points per game. Celsor also averaged 8.2 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks. Arielle Saunders also averaged 8.2 rebounds.
- Other key returners are senior guard Lauren Crenshaw and senior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce.
- Harding has five newcomers this season – Taylor Longley, Mackenszie McNamara, A'ndrea Haney, Jackie Bacon and Tanja Steed.
Arkansas-Fort Smith
- Arkansas-Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, Ark., and is a NCAA Division II member of the Heartland Conference. UAFS has an enrollment of about 7,100 students
- The Lady Lions recorded a 7-19 overall record last season and finished sixth in conference with a 3-9 record.
- UAFS returns four starters from last year's squad – sophomore guard Brittany Holbert, senior guard Destyni Howard, sophomore guard Candice Followwell and sophomore guard Danielle McFadden.
- The Lady Lions leading returning scorer is McFadden who averaged 8.2 points per game.
- Arkansas-Fort Smith is coached by Louis Whorton who is in his 28th season.
- The two teams will be meeting for the first time.
Northeastern State
- Northeastern State is located in Tahlequah, Okla., and is a NCAA Division II member of the MIAA. NSU has an enrollment of about 9,300 students
- The Riverhawks went 19-8 overall and finished third in conference with a 14-4 record.
- Northeastern State returns two starters from last year's squad – senior forward Carrington Fox and junior guard Fontana Tate
- NSU's leading returning scorer is Tate who averaged 6.2 points per game.
- Northeastern State is coached by Randy Gibson who is in his 14th season.
- Harding leads the series between the two teams 8-4 as they haven't met since the 2000 season. NSU has won the last three meetings. HU's last win came in 1999, as the Lady Bisons won 92-62. At a neutral site, HU leads 3-1. The two teams haven't met at a neutral site since 1995. HU won 91-60 in Siloam Springs, Ark.
