Harding Women Race Past Southern Arkansas, Win 15th Straight Home Game

Box Score SEARCY – Southern Arkansas brought its pressure defense and chaotic style to the Rhodes-Reaves Field House on Sunday for a Great American Conference showdown. Harding's women beat the press and beat Southern Arkansas 78-51 for its 15th straight home win.

Harding improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the GAC and dealt Southern Arkansas its first loss of the season. The Muleriders fell to 6-1 overall and 1-1 in conference.

Harding trailed 18-14 after one quarter, but took the lead at 24-23 on a Rory Geer layup off a long pass from Kendrick Bailey. The Lady Bisons extended the lead to 31-25 at the break after outscoring Southern Arkansas 17-7 in the second period. Harding limited Southern Arkansas to only 3-of-14 shooting in the period and made 8 of 17 shots, including a long 3-pointer from Aubrey Isbell with the shot clock expiring.

Harding opened the second half by scoring the first eight points with three straight buckets on layups before Hawley hit a turnaround jumper in the lane with 7:57 left.

Harding pulled away in the third, outscoring Southern Arkansas 28-13 to lead 59-38 after three quarters.

Sage Hawley led Harding with 33 points on 14-of-26 shooting. She made all five of her free throws and grabbed 16 rebounds. Isbell added 13 points, and Geer and Josie Williams had 10 each. Geer also had 13 rebounds.

Southern Arkansas entered the game averaging 90.5 points and forcing an average of 37.2 turnovers per game. Harding limited the Muleriders to almost 40 points below their season average and only committed 16 turnovers.

TEAM NOTES

Harding's 15-game home winning streak is its fourth in program history of 15 games or more and is tied for the seventh-longest home winning streak in Division II.
Harding had a +22 rebound margin over Southern Arkansas, its highest of the season and sixth straight game with 17 or more rebounds than its opponents ... HU had 20 offensive rebounds, matching its season high.
Harding made a season-high 33 field goals and shot 46.5% from the field, its sixth straight game at 40% or better.
Harding went 11-of-11 from the free-throw line ... it was only the second time in program history Harding was perfect from the free-throw line with 10 or more made ... on Nov. 25, 1994, Harding made 23-of-23 free throws against Lindenwood (MO).
Harding had a season-high 19 assists, the most since the team had 24 assists in last season's home win over Southern Arkansas.
Harding had a season-high 11 steals, the most since the team had 12 steals in a win over Southeastern Oklahoma on Feb. 2, 2023.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Sage Hawley led Harding with a season-high 33 points, her third career 30-point game ... made 14 field goals, tied for seventh most in an HU game ... attempted 26 shots, tied for sixth-most in an HU game ... had 16 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season ... tied Arielle Saunders' school record with her 44th career double-double ... moved into eighth in career scoring with 1,397 points, passing Hall of Famer Nancee Wilson (1,389, 1989-93) ... moved into sixth in career rebounds (805), passing Heather Lawrence (795, 1995-99) and Hall of Famer Kristen Celsor (803, 2010-14).
Aubrey Isbell had 13 points, her second straight game in double figures ... shooting 12-of-21 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range in the last two games.
Josie Williams had 10 points, her fourth game in double figures.
Rory Geer had 10 points and six rebounds, her fourth straight game in double figures.
Harley Harbour had a career-high 13 rebounds, her second game this season with 10 or more rebounds.

SERIES NOTES

Harding won its fifth straight over Southern Arkansas ... HU leads the series 55-24 overall and 31-8 in Searcy ... HU has won eight straight meetings in Searcy.

UP NEXT

Harding plays at Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. ... UAM is 4-4 overall and 0-2 in the GAC.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Kendrick Bailey: G; 5' 5"; Junior

#20 Rory Geer: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#25 Harley Harbour: F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#24 Sage Hawley: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#32 Aubrey Isbell: G; 5' 10"; Junior

#21 Josie Williams: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Kendrick Bailey
: 5' 5"; Junior
: G

#20 Rory Geer
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#25 Harley Harbour
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: F

#24 Sage Hawley
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#32 Aubrey Isbell
: 5' 10"; Junior
: G

#21 Josie Williams
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G