WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Harding used one of its best defensive efforts of the season to defeat Southwestern Oklahoma 69-47 Saturday in Great American Conference women's basketball action at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
Harding bounced back from only its second conference loss of the season Thursday at Northwestern Oklahoma. The Lady Bisons won for only the third time in 14 games in Weatherford and improved to 15-5 overall and 11-2 in conference.
Southwestern, who had five of its six wins this season at home, fell to 6-12 overall and 6-7 in conference.
Harding limited Southwestern to only 22.6% shooting for the game and the Lady Bulldogs' lowest scoring output of the season. Southwestern shot 5-of-29 (17%) from 3-point range.
It was the third time this season Harding held an opponent to fewer than 50 points.
Freshman Tate Wells scored 13 of her season-high 15 points in the first half. Sage Hawley had 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five blocked shots. Jacie Evans had 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
Rory Geer added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Harding scored 14 points in the paint in the first quarter and led 19-10 after one. The Lady Bisons scored the first eight points of the quarter and limited Southwestern to only 3-of-19 shooting (15.8%).
Harding made 9-of-14 (64%) in the second quarter and outscored Southwestern 24-8 in the period. The Lady Bisons had an 11-0 run during the period and led 43-18 at the break.
Harding limited Southwestern to only 5-of-30 (17%) shooting in the first half. Three of Southwestern's five field goals were 3-pointers.
Wells made 5-of-6 from the field and hit two 3-pointers in her 13-point first half. Wells combined with Harley Harbour to score 18 points off the bench. Southwestern's reserves did not score in the first half.
Harding pushed its lead to 28 points after three quarters and went to the fourth with a 59-31 lead.
The Lady Bisons return home to host Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday. Tip-off at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House is at 5:30 p.m.
