SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team looks to finish their three game road trip with a win at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford, Okla., on Saturday at 2 p.m., in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 13-6 overall record and a 9-4 GAC record.
Harding is coming off a 74-55 win at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday. The Lady Bisons shot 51.7 percent from the field. 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. The Lady Bisons tied a school record with 11 blocks. Celsor and Saunders each had four for Harding.
When Southwestern Oklahoma State and Harding met in Searcy earlier this season, the Lady Bisons walked away with a 69-61 victory. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes led HU with 19 points. Kristen Celsor and Arielle Saunders both had a double-double. Celsor had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Saunders had 15 points and 13 rebounds. Harding had nine steals and nine blocks in the game and held SWOSU to shooting 31.5 percent from the field. The Lady Bulldogs lead the series 6-5.
Harding is 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the GAC on the road this season. The Lady Bisons have won four of their last five road games as their only loss came at Southern Nazarene (66-56). Shana Holmes leads HU in scoring on the road, averaging 14.5 points. Kristen Celsor averages 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Harding has won 10 of their last 12 games with their losses coming against Arkansas Tech and Southern Nazarene.
HU is led on the season by Kristen Ceslor who averages 14.8 points, which ranks eighth in the GAC. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes averages 13.2 points and Arielle Saunders averages 10.9 points.
Arielle Saunders leads Harding on the boards averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the GAC. Kristen Celsor ranks sixth in the GAC (8.0 rpg) and sophomore guard Montana Lewis ranks ninth in the GAC (7.3 rpg).
Harding has grabbed 40 or more rebounds in a game eleven times this season. HU's record in those games is 9-2. The Lady Bisons have won their last eight straight games when they grab 40 or more rebounds.
The Lady Bisons rank first in the GAC in scoring defense as they only allow their opponents to score 58.3 points per game. HU ranks second in the GAC in field goal percentage defense as they only allow their opponents to shoot 36.1 percent and steals averaging 9.2 a game.
Harding is getting the free throw line 21.1 times a game. HU is 7-0 when they make 15 or more free throws in a game. The Lady Bisons are 3-0 when shooting over 75 percent.
Southwestern Oklahoma State heads into the game with a 15-5 overall record and a 10-4 GAC record. The Lady Bulldogs are coming off an 82-76 loss to Arkansas Tech on Thursday. ATU snapped SWOSU's six game winning streak. Southwestern Oklahoma State is 6-3 at home this season.
SWOSU ranks first in the GAC in scoring offense (81.6), scoring margin (10.2), 3-point field goal percentage (35.3) and 3-point field goals made a game (8.8).
The Lady Bulldogs are led by Michelle Fisher who averages 16.9 points which ranks fourth in the GAC. SaRaya Oyler averages 11.1 points and Kimmi Sawatsky averages 10.0 points. Sawatsky ranks second in the GAC in free throw percentage (90.3). She also ranks first in the GAC in 3-point field goal percentage (47.9). Fisher ranks first in the GAC in 3-point field goals made averaging 2.5 a game.
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