SEARCY – Junior forward Kristen Celsor scored 27 points to lead the Harding women's basketball team over Southern Arkansas 97-42 in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes Field House on Thursday. HU improved to 16-7 overall and 12-5 in the GAC.

Celsor made 12-of-13 (92.3) from the field, including two 3-pointers in only 25 minutes of action. She also led HU in rebounds with 12 with all of them being on the defensive end. It was her fifth double-double of the season. It was the seventh time this season Celsor has scored 20 or more points.

Sophomore guard Shana Holmes knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Junior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce hit 5-of-7 from the field and had 12 points. Junior forward Lauren Harrison scored a career-high 12 points.

Harding made a season-high 40 field goals in the game which ranks tied for third in HU history. The last time the Lady Bisons made 40 or more field goals was in 2006 at home against North Alabama. Harding made 40-of-74 and went onto win in overtime 106-98. The Lady Bisons shot 60.6 percent from the field (40-of-66) which ranks eighth all-time at Harding.

Harding started the game off slow, trailing by five in the opening minutes. The Lady Bisons then went on a 10-0 run and didn't look back as they led at halftime, 51-24. It was the most points in half for Harding this season.

The Lady Bisons held Southern Arkansas to only 18 points in the second half. It was the fewest points in the second half by an opponent this season.

The Lady Muleriders (0-22, 0-17 GAC) was led by Tori Nichols who had 12 points (5-of-8) and five rebounds.

The Lady Bisons wore pink jerseys in honor of breast cancer awareness. Harding sold pink t-shirts with all the proceeds going to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Harding will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Arkansas-Monticello. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.