MAGNOLIA, Ark. – No. 20 Harding struggled offensively but forced 18 Southern Arkansas turnovers and limited the Lady Riders to 27 percent shooting in a 49-46 victory Saturday in Great American Conference women's basketball action at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

With the victory, Harding clinched its third GAC regular-season championship in the last four seasons. The Lady Bisons improved to 22-3 overall and 19-1 in conference games. Harding's 22 wins are tied for fifth-most in program history.

Southern Arkansas fell to 5-19 and 3-17 in GAC games. The Lady Riders lost their seventh straight to the Lady Bisons and their ninth straight overall.

Harding had its best offensive quarter in the second period, outscoring Southern Arkansas 18-8 after falling behind 15-7 after one. The Lady Bisons led 25-23 at halftime.

The two teams combined for only five baskets in the third quarter, and Harding took a 33-32 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bisons extended their lead to nine points at 47-38 with 40 seconds remaining and looked to be in control. Southern Arkansas answered with two 3-pointers and two free throws down the stretch and pulled within two before Harding's Riley Rose made one of two free throws with two seconds left to clinch the victory.

Caroline Hogue had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead Harding, who shot only 32 percent and missed all nine 3-point attempts in the second half. Sydney Layrock had nine points and eight rebounds.

Makaila Jordan led Southern Arkansas with 16 points.

Saturday's game was the first of three consecutive road games to close the regular season. The Lady Bison go on the road again Thursday to meet Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant and finish the regular season next Saturday against East Central in Ada.