Postgame Interview with Coach Kirby
MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Harding women's basketball team tied a season-high shooting 50 percent from the field as it defeated Arkansas-Monticello 71-55 in Great American Conference action at Steelman Field House.
Sophomore forward Sydney Layrock led all scoring with 25 points, making 9-of-17 from the field including four 3-pointers. Junior guard A'ndrea Haney had 18 points, making 7-of-9 from the field. She also led Harding on the boards with eight and had a career-high seven steals. Sophomore forward Mackenzie McNamara came off the bench and finished with 13 points.
Arkansas-Monticello was led by Ayesha Wahid who had 15 points, making three 3-pointers. Jordan Goforth, the GAC leader in points (22.2), was held to nine.
RECORDS
Harding improves to 14-6 overall and 12-4 in the GAC. Arkansas-Monticello falls to 11-9 overall and 8-8 in the GAC. Lady Bisons stay in sole possession of second place in the GAC standings. Arkansas Tech sits in first place with a perfect 16-0 GAC record. The top eight teams in the standings advance to the GAC Tournament held March 3-6, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding lead 24-14 after the end of the first quarter. Sydney Layrock scored nine points in the quarter, all behind the 3-point line. The Lady Bisons made 8-of-14 shots shooting 57.1 percent.
SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding headed into the locker room with a 39-27 lead after outscoring Arkansas-Monticello 15-13. Between the end of the first quarter and the middle of the second quarter the Lady Bisons went on a 27-3 run over 12 minutes but The Blossoms closed the second quarter with an 11-1 run. A'ndrea Haney had three steals in the quarter.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Arkansas-Monticello won the third quarter, outscoring Harding 17-14 but trailed 53-44. Sydney Layrock scored seven more points and Mackenzie McNamara had four rebounds for the Lady Bisons. The Blossoms were led by Ayesha Wahid who had eight points, making two 3-pointers.
FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding finished the game outscoring Arkansas-Monticello 18-11 in the fourth quarter. The Lady Bisons made 7-of-8 free throws and shot 62.5 percent from the field to seal the victory. A'ndrea Haney had eight points, making three baskets.
TEAM/INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding made 24-of-48 shots, including 9-of-21 from behind the 3-point line. The Lady Bisons shot a season-high 87.5 percent from the free throw line, making 14-of-16. A'ndrea Haney and McKenzie McNamara each went 4-for-4.
Arkansas-Monticello was held to shooting 33.9 percent from the field (19-of-56) and 24.0 percent from behind the arc (6-of-25). It was the 11th time this season Harding has held its opponent to shooting under 35 percent from the field and the third straight game.
It was the seventh time in her career Sydney Layrock has made at least 20 points in a game.
A'ndrea Haney's steals was the most since Bailey St. Clair had seven against North Alabama in 2010.
UP NEXT
Harding will wrap up its four game road trip on Saturday when it travels to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to face Ouachita. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
