Harding: Shana Holmes – 17 points
Harding: Lauren Crenshaw – 13 points
Harding: Kristen Celsor – 12 points
Ouachita Baptist: Nashia James – 18 points and 10 rebounds

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Strong start gives the eighth-ranked Harding women's basketball team a 82-54 victory at Ouachita Baptist in Great American Conference action on Saturday. The win puts the Lady Bisons at 14-0 on the season which is the best start in program history.

Harding also stays perfect in GAC action (6-0) as they took sole possession of first place in the GAC standings. The Lady Bisons came into the contest tied for first with Southeastern Oklahoma but a Savage Storm loss to Northwestern Oklahoma on Saturday propelled Harding atop the GAC standings.

Harding came out of the gate running, as junior guard Shana Holmes scored the Lady Bisons first eight points. With Harding leading 11-4, the Lady Bisons went on a 22-3 run to lead 33-7 with 7:28 left in first half. Harding went onto take a 45-17 lead at halftime which is was the largest lead at the break this season. Harding held Ouachita Baptist to shooting 6-of-23 from the field in the first half as the Tigers went 0-of-8 from behind the 3-point line.

The Lady Bisons were led by Holmes who had 17 points, hitting two 3-pointers. Senior guard Lauren Crenshaw came off the bench and hit two 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, making 7-of-8 from free throw line. Senior forward Kristen Celsor had 12 points.

Harding forced Ouachita Baptist to turn the ball over 21 times on 12 steals. The Lady Bisons turned them into 19 points, 15 in the first half.

Ouachita Baptist (3-9, 1-5 GAC) was led by Nashia James who captured a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. James went 1-of-9 from behind the 3-point line. Breanna Harris added 13 for the Tigers.

Harding outrebounded Ouachita Baptist 41-36. The Lady Bisons grabbed 30 defensive rebounds. Junior forward Arielle Saunders and freshman guard A'ndrea Haney both led Harding with nine rebounds. Haney's rebounds were a career high.

Harding made 20-of-23, shooting a season-high 87 percent from the free throw line. The Lady Bisons made 18-of-20 in the second half. It was the second straight game Harding has made over 20 free throws. The Lady Bisons made 27 against Henderson State on Thursday.

Harding will play its makeup game against Southeastern Oklahoma on Monday at the Rhodes Field House. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.