MONTICELLO, Ark. – Harding scored the first 11 points of the third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and defeat Arkansas-Monticello 70-53 in Great American Conference play at Steelman Field House on Thursday.

The victory was Harding's 10th straight over Arkansas-Monticello as the Lady Bisons improved to 10-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play. Harding remains in first place in the GAC standings. The Blossoms lost for the third time in nine home games and fell to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the GAC.

Harding trailed 29-27 at halftime but made its first six shots in the third quarter, including a 3-pointer from freshman Peyton Padgett that gave Harding the lead for good. The Lady Bisons had a 20-4 advantage in the period before Arkansas-Monticello scored six straight points.

Harding led 47-39 after three.

Much of Harding's success came in the paint where the Lady Bisons outscored the Blossoms 42-24 in the lane.

Sophomore forward Sydnie Jones led Harding with 15 points and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field. Sophomore forward Caroline Hogue was 6-of-7 from the field and scored 14 points. Senior A'ndi Haney had 14 points, and Padgett added 10.

Harding cut an early nine-point UAM lead to only 29-27 at halftime. The Lady Bisons shot poorly in the first quarter, hitting only 4-of-16. Harding improved to 6-of-13 in the second quarter, led by its low-post duo of Hogue and Jones, who both had eight points at halftime.

Treasure Evans led Arkansas-Monticello with 12 points and seven rebounds. UAM shot only 31 percent in the first half and had eight turnovers.

Harding plays its second straight road game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.