ALVA, Okla. – The Harding women's basketball team shot 51.7 percent from the field as they beat Northwestern Oklahoma State 74-55 on Thursday in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons improved to 13-6 overall and 9-4 in the GAC.

It was the second time this season HU has shot over 50 percent in a game and the first time in a conference game. The Lady Bisons shot 56.9 percent at St. Edward's winning 51-29.

Harding connected on 30-of-58 field goals and made six 3-pointers. HU had four players that finished in double-figure scoring. The Lady Bisons were led by sophomore guard Montana Lewis who had 15 points. Sophomore forward Arielle Saunders made 7-of-10 from the field and finished with 14 points. Junior forward Kristen Celsor had 12 points and senior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce was perfect from the field hitting 4-of-4 and had 10 points.

After leading 21-19 with 8:21 left in the first half the Lady Bisons went on an 18-0 run that extended through the first two minutes of the second half and was capped by a Celsor 3-pointer with 18:38 left in the game. Harding led by as much as 30 late in the second half.

The Lady Bisons tied a school record with 11 blocks. Celsor and Saunders each had four for Harding. It was the second time this season HU has had over 10 blocks in a game. The Lady Bisons had 10 against Arkansas Tech. Celsor and Saunders also had four in that game.

Northwestern Oklahoma State (5-14, 4-12 GAC) was led by Dierra Gilmore who hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. Titania Simmons had 14 points.

The Harding defense held NWOSU to shooting 32.3 percent from the field (20-of-62). It was the seventh time this season HU has held a conference opponent to shooting below 35 percent from the field.

The Lady Bisons will play their final game of a three game road trip on Saturday as they travel to Weatherford, Okla., to face Southwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m.