SEARCY – Harding allowed only one Ouachita Baptist field goal over a seven-minute stretch in the second half and defeated the Tigers 81-56 on Saturday at the Rhodes Field House.

The victory gave Harding (20-6, 16-4) its second straight 20-win season and the ninth in program history. It also gave the Lady Bisons a tie for the Great American Conference regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming GAC Tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Harding will open the tournament against No. 8 seed Southern Arkansas on Thursday at 5:45 p.m.

The Lady Bisons held a 43-41 advantage with 13:08 left in the game. Harding's defense limited Ouachita Baptist on only one 3-pointer over the next 7:41 and outscored the Tigers 25-3 during the stretch and led by as many as 25 points in the second half.

Arielle Saunders, a senior playing her final home game, led Harding with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Fellow senior Montana Lewis had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and A'ndi Haney had 11 points and six assists.

Taylor Bowles led Ouachita Baptist (10-17, 6-14) with 15 points.

Harding's four seniors—Saunders, Lewis, Tabitha Haney, and Jackie Bacon—were honored in a ceremony following the game.