SEARCY – Sophomore forward Sydney Layrock scored 27 points to lead the Harding women's basketball team over East Central 70-63 in Great American Conference action on Thursday at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. After the game, Harding recognized lone senior Kaylee Wiedower for her contributions to the Harding women's basketball program.
Layrock went 9-of-19 from the field including two 3-pointers. She also made seven free throws. Layrock has scored in double-figures every game this season. Sophomore guard Lundon Williams made three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Sophomore guard Falan Miller captured her third double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Chelsea Heidebrecht got her first career start and finished with 11 points, making three 3-pointers.
East Central was led by Whitney Stotler and Courtney Cowan who each had 16 points. Cowan went 4-of-8 from behind the 3-point line.
RECORDS
Harding improves to 16-9 overall and 14-7 in the GAC. East Central falls to 10-15 overall and 10-11 in the GAC. With the win and Southern Arkansas and Southwestern Oklahoma losing on Thursday, Harding has sole possession of second place in the GAC standings. Arkansas Tech sits in first place and won the conference regular season championship. The top eight teams in the standings advance to the GAC Tournament held March 3-6, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding led 16-13 after the first quarter, led by Lundon Williams who had nine with two made 3-pointers. The Lady Bisons held East Central to 1-of-8 from behind the 3-point line.
SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
East Central battled back to take a 37-27 lead at the half. The Tigers outscored Harding 24-11 in the quarter led by a 17-1 run over the final 5:35 in the half. East central, who averages 7.1 3-pointers per game, made 6-of-10 3-pointers in the quarter.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding battled back in the third quarter to pull within two, 47-45. The Lady Bisons outscored East Central 18-10 in the quarter and finished with 10-0 run over last four minutes.
FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Harding continued to fight back as it went on a 11-0 run and didn't look back as the Lady Bisons outscored East Central 25-16 in the fourth quarter. Harding made 6-of-9 field goals, 3-of-3 3-pointers and 10-of-12 free throws to get the win. Sydney Layrock led Harding with 10 points.
TEAM/INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding shot 38.6 percent, making 22-of-57 shots including 10 3-pointers. It was the 10th time this season the Lady Bisons have made 10 or more 3-pointers.
East Central shot 36.5 percent, making 23-of-63 field goals. The Tigers, who average six made 3-pointers a game, finished with nine.
Harding grabbed 45 rebounds in the game and had 14 offensive rebounds and turned them into 14 points.
UP NEXT
Harding will play its final regular season home game on Saturday when it hosts Southeastern Oklahoma at 1 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
