ALVA, Oklahoma – The 20th-ranked Harding women's basketball team defeated Northwestern Oklahoma 64-45 on Thursday in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons improved to 17-3 overall and 13-1 in the GAC.

Harding will stay in first place in the GAC standings with the win. The Lady Bisons have already sealed a spot in the GAC Tournament held in Bartlesville, Oklahoma March 5-8.

It was the sixth time this season Harding has held its opponent to scoring less than 50 points.

Senior forward Arielle Saunders led the Lady Bisons with her 14th double-double of the season. She finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman forward Sydney Layrock had 12 points and eight rebounds and freshman guard Lundon Williams had 10 points making 4-of-4 from the field.

Harding held Northwestern Oklahoma (8-12, 7-7 GAC) to making one of its first 13 shots to start the game. The Lady Bisons went on to lead 31-25 at the half.

"The game was a little bit sloppy," Head Coach Tim Kirby said. "In the second half we just chipped away at it. If you hold the other team to only 45 points that gives you a chance every time."

Harding extended its lead to 18 with 9:14 left in the game on a jumper by Saunders. Northwestern Oklahoma answered back with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 12 with 7:37 left. Sophomore forward Correy Moyer hit three straight 3-pointers, her only points of the night, in a two minute span to put the Lady Bisons up 60-39 with 5:15 left.

"Correy Moyer hit some huge threes for us in the second half," Kirby said.

Harding didn't allow the Rangers to get any closer than 15 the rest of the way.

Northwestern Oklahoma was led by Jonna Gregory who had 14 points, hitting 6-of-8 from the field.

Sophomore guard A'ndrea Haney had three steals in the game to put her over 100 in her career. She also picked up her 200th career assist in the game.

Harding will continue its road trip on Saturday as it heads to Weatherford, Okla., to face Southwestern Oklahoma for a 12 p.m., tip-off.