No. 15 Harding (7-0) vs. Central Baptist (4-5)
Location: Searcy
When: Friday
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Coaches: Harding – Tim Kirby (148-87, 9th season); Central Baptist – Lyle Middleton
Live Stats/Live Video – Available on a link at HardingSports.com
Harding
- Harding heads into the game with a 7-0 record for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
- The Lady Bisons were ranked 15th in Division II in this week's coaches' poll. It is the highest the Lady Bisons have been ranked since joining the NCAA in 1997. Harding is one of only 11 teams in the top 25 that is still undefeated.
- It's the first time in the NCAA era that the Lady Bisons have been ranked in back-to-back weeks. Harding's women have only appeared in the top 25 on one other occasion. The Lady Bisons were ranked 24th in 2008 when they started the season with 12 straight victories.
- Harding is coming off an 81-45 Great American Conference win over East Central last Thursday. Junior guard Shana Holmes led Harding with 22 points. The Lady Bisons were scheduled to host Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday but due to weather it has been rescheduled for Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
- Kristen Celsor is leading Harding in scoring, averaging 19.0 points which ranks third in the GAC. Celsor has already turned in two 30 point performances including 33 points against Central Missouri. She has also led the Lady Bisons in rebounding in four games this season. Celsor ranks third in the GAC in steals, averaging 2.3 a game.
- Junior guard Shana Holmes is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers a game and is averaging 13.7 points. Junior guard Montana Lewis averages 10.9 points.
- Harding is averaging 40.7 rebounds per game which is 7.4 more than its opponents. Arielle Saunders leads the Lady Bisons on the boards, averaging 7.9 a game which ranks seventh in the GAC. Celsor is close behind her averaging 7.3 a game.
- Harding's newcomer A'ndrea Haney has started in each game at point guard. She is averaging five points and leads the team in assists and ranks tied for second in the GAC, averaging 4.0 a game.
- Harding ranks first in the GAC in rebounding defense (33.3 rpg). The Lady Bisons rank second in assists (18.0 apg), 3-point field goal percentage (38.9), scoring defense (57.9) and scoring margin (+18.6).
Central Baptist
- Central Baptist is located in Conway, Ark., and has an enrollment of 832. The Lady Mustangs are a member of the NAIA.
- Central Baptist heads into the game with a 4-5 record.
- Friday will be Central Baptist's ninth road game. The Lady Mustangs have only played three home games. The only GAC team Central Baptist has played against this season was Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns defeated the Lady Mustangs 104-41 in Russellville.
- Central Baptist is coming off an 85-54 win against Ecclesia on Dec. 3. Freshman guard Hana Williams led the Lady Mustangs with 36 points hitting 11-of-18 from the field.
- Central Baptist is led on the season by Williams who averages 16.1 points a game. Senior forward Kayla Gardner averages 11.9 points.
- Central Baptist is coached by Lyle Middleton.
Series
- Harding leads the series between the two teams 10-0.
- Harding last met Central Baptist in 2011 when the Lady Bisons defeated the Lady Mustangs 80-30.
