Box Score
Harding: Shana Holmes – 21 points
Harding: Arielle Saunders – 10 points and 11 rebounds
Harding: Deshelle Isaac-Boyce – 12 points
Central Baptist: Abbie Stearns – 15 points and 9 rebounds
SEARCY – Junior guard Shana Holmes scored 21 points to lead the 15th-ranked Harding women's basketball team over Central Baptist 86-49 in non-conference action on Friday. The Lady Bisons stayed perfect on the season with an 8-0 record.
It's the best start for Harding since the 2008-09 season with the Lady Bisons opened the season with a 12-0 record.
It was the second straight game Holmes has led Harding in scoring. She had a season-high 22 points against East Central last Thursday. Holmes hit two 3-pointers and shot 8-of-14 from the field.
Senior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce had 12 points hitting 6-of-8 from the field. Sophomore guard Kaylee Wiedower hit three 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 11 points. Junior forward Arielle Saunders had 10 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and her 16th career.
Harding led the whole game as they started slow in the opening minutes but in a five minute span the Lady Bisons broke open their lead on a 27-4 run to lead 38-11 with five minutes left in the first half. Harding led at the half, 48-21. The Lady Bisons hit seven 3-pointers, forced 18 Central Baptist turnovers and had 12 steals in the half.
Harding extended its lead to as much as 39 in the second half. The Lady Bisons scored 26 of their 38 points in the paint and had 22 bench points in the half.
Central Baptist (4-6) was led by junior forward Abbie Stearns who had 15 points. Freshman guard Hana Williams hit three 3-pointers and had 12 points.
Harding outrebounded Central Baptist 51-32. Harding's rebounds tied for the most this season. Harding had 51 against Arkansas-Fort Smith to open the season. The Lady Bisons had 25 offensive rebounds which are the most since 2012 when Harding had 25 against East Central. Senior forward Lauren Harrison had a career-high seven rebounds for Harding.
Harding had a season-high 17 steals which was led by Holmes who had five.
The Lady Bisons will be back in action next week as they travel to Oahu, Hawaii to participate in the Oahu Classic. Harding will play Notre Dame Ohio on Tuesday at 12:30 a.m., and then the Lady Bisons will wrap up the classic on Wednesday against Lake Superior State at 12:30 a.m. All times are central.
