SEARCY – Harding women's basketball could not have gotten off to a better start to its home season than it did Thursday with an 89-56 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. It was the conference opener for both teams.

Harding outscored Northwestern 46-12 in the paint and had five players score 10 or more points, led by 16 each from junior Falan Miller and sophomore Sydnie Jones.

The Lady Bisons shot 60 percent and improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference, winning their home opener for the 13th straight season. The Rangers fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the GAC.

Harding's first quarter was one to remember. The Lady Bisons shot 87 percent from the field, connecting on 13-of-15 shots, including 5-of-7 3-pointers. Junior Falan Miller led the assault with 14 points in the quarter. Miller made all five of her shots, including two 3-pointers and two free throws.

Harding closed the period on a 17-3 run and led 35-14 after one.

The Lady Bison defense controlled the second quarter, holding the Rangers to only one field goal in the quarter and increasing their lead to 54-22 at halftime. Harding held a 26-2 advantage in the paint at that point.

Miller had 16 points at halftime, and sophomore Riley Rose hit three 3-pointers and had nine.

Harding outscored Northwestern 22-13 in the third quarter and pushed its lead to 76-35.

Jones was 7-of-8 from the field and had five rebounds. Miller finished 6-of-8 and added three rebounds and three assists. Rose had 12 points, junior Sydnie Layrock had 11, and sophomore Chelsea Heidebrecht scored 10. Senior A'ndi Haney tied her career high with nine assists.

Junior Kalea King led Northwestern with 16 points.