Game Notes
SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks for their fourth straight win on Saturday as they travel to Arkansas-Monticello in Great American Conference action at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 16-7 overall record and a 12-5 GAC record.
HU is in third place in the GAC standings. The top eight teams will advance to the postseason conference tournament held in Bartlesville, Okla., on March 7-10.
Harding is coming off a 97-42 win at home against Southern Arkansas on Thursday. The Lady Bisons scored 51 points in the first half. It was most points in a half this season. Junior forward Kristen Celsor led HU with 27 points and 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for Harding.
When the Lady Bisons faced Arkansas-Monticello earlier this season in Searcy, HU won 77-59. Kristen Celsor led Harding with 27 points, hitting 12-of-19 from the field which included three 3-pointers. She also had 12 rebounds. Shana Holmes also made three 3-pointers and had 15 points. Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders had 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. UAM leads the series between the two teams 30-25. The Cotton Blossoms are 17-10 against HU in Monticello.
Harding is 6-6 on the road this season, 4-4 in the GAC. The Lady Bisons won their last road game at Ouachita Baptist 45-42 on a last second 3-pointer by junior guard Lauren Crenshaw. Shana Holmes leads HU on the road, averaging 13.8 points. Kristen Celsor averages 12.6 points and eight rebounds.
Harding has won 13 of their last 16 games with their losses coming against Arkansas Tech, Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Oklahoma State.
HU is led on the season by Kristen Ceslor who averages 15.2 points, which ranks sixth in the GAC. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes averages 12.9 points and Arielle Saunders averages 10.4 points.
Kristen Celsor leads Harding on the boards averaging 8.4 rebounds a game, which ranks fourth in the GAC. Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders ranks sixth in the GAC, averaging 7.7 rebounds and sophomore guard Montana Lewis ranks tenth in the GAC (6.9 rpg).
The Lady Bisons rank first in the GAC in scoring defense as they only allow their opponents to score 58.5 points per game. HU ranks second in the GAC in steals averaging 9.4 a game.
In Harding's 16 wins, the Lady Bisons defense has come up big. HU has held their opponents below 33.7 percent from the field and forces 17.9 turnovers per game. The Lady Bisons also averages 9.3 steals and 4.4 blocks.
Kristen Celsor needs 40 points to get to 1,000 in her career. Celsor has scored 960 points and is averaging 12.0 points per game in her career.
Arkansas-Monticello heads into Saturday with a 5-18 overall record and a 2-15 GAC record. The Cotton Blossoms have lost their last five GAC games. UAM is coming off a 73-53 loss at Arkansas Tech on Thursday. Freshman guard Jordan Goforth led the Cotton Blossoms with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Arkansas-Monticello is led on the season by Jordan Goforth who averages 12.7 points. Freshman forward Donlicia James leads the Cotton Blossoms on the boards averaging 5.3 a game.
Check Hardingsports.com for links to live audio, live video and live stats.
