BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Harding women's basketball, ranked No. 2 in Division II and No. 1 in the Central Region, lost a tough 78-74 decision to Southwestern Oklahoma on Sunday in the finals of the Great American Conference Tournament at Bruin Fieldhouse.

It was only the second loss of the season for Harding, who will await its NCAA Tournament fate, which will be announced Sunday at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Harding (29-2) led 68-55 with 8:39 left but was outscored 23-6 down the stretch.

All five of Harding's starters scored 10 or more points. Freshman A'ndi Haney led the Lady Bisons with 18 points. Kristen Celsor scored 16 points, and Arielle Saunders, Montana Lewis, and Shana Holmes each had 10 points. Saunders led Harding with 13 rebounds.

Michelle Fisher and Taryn Sayama led Southwestern with 18 points each.

Southwestern Oklahoma (19-10) will receive the automatic berth into the Central Region Tournament by winning the GAC Tournament.