MONTICELLO, Ark. – Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders captured her eight double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Harding women's basketball team past Arkansas-Monticello 74-63 in Great American Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

It was the fourth straight win by the Lady Bisons as they improved to 17-7 overall and 13-5 in the GAC. Harding stayed in third place in the GAC standings with the win. The top eight teams in the standings will advance to the GAC tournament in Bartlesville, Okla., March 7-10.

Junior forward Kristen Celsor scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half. She was 7-of-10 from the field, including four 3-pointers. She also had three blocks and two steals. Junior guard Lauren Crenshaw made three 3-pointers and had 13 points.

Harding shot 50.0 percent from the field, making 27-of-54. It was the second straight game HU has shot over 50 percent and the fourth time this season.  The Lady Bisons shot a season-high 60.6 percent against Southern Arkansas on Thursday.

After leading 33-24 at halftime, Harding built their lead to 11 on a jumper by Saunders in the opening minute of the second half. Arkansas-Monticello cut the lead to six with 16:50 left to play on a layup by freshman guard Cinderella Linnear. The Lady Bisons then went on an 11-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 46-29 lead on a Celsor layup. Harding didn't allow UAM to get any closer than 11 the rest of the way. The Lady Bisons led by as much as 19 in the second half.

Harding's 10 3-pointers tied the season high set against East Central in Searcy earlier this season. HU shot 41.7 percent from behind the 3-point line for the second straight game. HU made 8-of-19 against Southern Arkansas on Thursday.

Arkansas-Monticello (5-19, 2-16 GAC) was led by freshman guard Jordan Goforth and senior guard Candace Virgadamo who both had 12 points for the Cotton Blossoms. Junior guard Ashley Qualls led UAM on the boards with six.

The Lady Bisons had seven blocks in the game. It was the sixth time this season HU has had over five blocks in a game.

Harding will be back in action next Thursday as they travel to Russellville, Ark., to face Arkansas Tech at 5:30 p.m., in GAC action.