Harding: Kristen Celsor – 32 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and 4 steals
Harding: Arielle Saunders – 12 rebounds
Harding: A'ndrea Haney – 7 assists and four steals
Southern Arkansas: Miranda Grier – 7 points and 10 rebounds

SEARCY – Senior forward Kristen Celsor scored 32 points to lead the fourth-ranked Harding women's basketball team to a 67-39 Great American Conference victory over Southern Arkansas on Thursday. With the win, the Lady Bisons captured their first conference regular season title.

Harding improved to 24-1 overall and 16-1 in the GAC. Southern Arkansas falls to 11-12 overall and 7-10 in the GAC.

Celsor's 32 points marks the fifth time this season she has scored over 30 points in a game which ties her with Kymm Alexander (1990-94) and Angie Dugger (1993-97) for the most in a season. Alexander holds the record for the most in her career with 11. Dugger had 10 and Celsor has six.

Celsor also made two 3-pointers to put her at 100 in her career.

It was the first time Harding has held an opponent to scoring less than 40 points in a game since 2012 when the Lady Bisons held Southern Arkansas to 37. Harding won the game 71-37.

Harding led throughout the game as they jumped out to a 21-7 lead with 7:18 left in the first half. Southern Arkansas didn't get any closer than 10 the rest of the way. The Lady Bisons led by as much as 38 in the second half.

Harding shot a season-low 37.5 percent in the game. The Lady Bisons shot 31.4 percent in the first half. Harding held Southern Arkansas to shooting 26.2 percent in the game (16-of-61). The Lady Muleriders made only six buckets in the first half and shot 17.1 percent.

Harding had 12 steals and forced Southern Arkansas to give the ball up 25 times. Celsor and freshman guard A'ndrea Haney each had four steals. Haney also had seven assists.

Harding outrebounded Southern Arkansas 49-42. The Lady Bisons were led by junior forward Arielle Saunders who had 12 rebounds. Celsor captured her ninth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. The Lady Bisons had 19 offensive boards.

Harding will be back in action on Saturday as they host Arkansas-Monticello at 5:30 p.m., in GAC action at the Rhodes Field House.