Postgame Interview with Coach Kirby
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita women's basketball team made 10 3-pointers and shot 49.1 percent from the field as it defeated Harding 87-83 on Saturday in Great American Conference action at Bill Vining Arena. The loss snapped a three game Lady Bison winning streak.
Sophomore forward Sydney Layrock scored a career-high 30 points to lead Harding. Junior guard A'ndrea Haney made 14-of-28 baskets and finished with 21 points. Freshman guard Chelsea Heidebrecht came off the bench and made two 3-pointers to finish with 10 points and sophomore forward Mackenzie McNamara led the Lady Bisons on the boards with seven.
Ouachita was led by Breanna Harris who had 41 points, making 11-of-16 from the field, 6-of-6 3-pointers and 13-of-14 free throws. Katie Kapler had 22 points, making eight baskets and Kori Bullard had 14 points. The three players combined for 78 of the Lady Tigers 87 points.
RECORDS
Harding falls to 14-7 overall and 12-5 in the GAC. Ouachita improves to 8-15 overall and 5-12 in the GAC. Despite the loss, Lady Bisons stay in sole possession of second place in the GAC standings. Arkansas Tech sits in first place with a perfect 17-0 GAC record. The top eight teams in the standings advance to the GAC Tournament held March 3-6, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Ouachita jumped out to a 26-12 lead after the end of the first quarter. Kori Bullard led the Lady Tigers with 13 points, making six field goals. Harding went 1-of-7 from behind the 3-point line.
SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding battled back to pull within seven at halftime as Ouachita led 48-41 at the break. The Lady Bisons outscored the Lady Tigers 29-22 in the second quarter. Sydney Layrock scored 14 points, making 7-of-10 field goals.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Ouachita continued to build on its lead in the third quarter as it outscored Harding 19-14 to lead 67-55. Breanna Harris scored 13 points for the Lady Tigers, making 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding pulled within two after a Falan Miller 3-pointer (85-83) with four seconds left but Breanna Harris made two free throws to seal the victory for Ouachita. The Lady Bisons outscored the Lady Tigers 28-20 in the quarter. Sydney Layrock scored eight points and A'ndrea Haney scored seven points for Harding. The Lady Bisons made four 3-pointers, two by Chelsea Heidebrecht.
TEAM/INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding shot 45.8 percent from the field making 33-of-72. The Lady Bisons shot 28.6 percent from behind the arc, making 8-of-28.
Ouachita made 27-of-55 field goals to shot 49.1 percent. The Lady Tigers made 10-of-20 3-pointers and 23-of-26 free throws.
Harding committed 24 fouls to Ouachita's 14.
It was the eighth time this season Syndey Layrock has scored over 20 points in a game. It was the second time this season a Harding player has scored 30 points in a game. A'ndrea Haney scored 30 at Southeastern Oklahoma earlier this season.
Harding dominated the paint, scoring 42 to Ouachita's 20. The Lady Bisons scored 21 points off the Lady Tigers 14 turnovers.
UP NEXT
Harding will play its third game in five days on Monday when it hosts No.15 Arkansas Tech at 5:30 p.m. at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
