MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Despite facing its largest first-quarter deficit of the season, the No. 11 Harding women's basketball team displayed the poise of a champion on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Bisons roared back from a 12-point hole to defeat Southern Arkansas 63-57 at W.T. Watson Center, extending their winning streak to seven games.

With the victory, Harding (21-3, 15-3 GAC) maintains sole possession of first place in the Great American Conference, holding a one-game lead over Arkansas Tech with four games remaining in the regular season.

The opening frame was uncharacteristic for the league leaders. Southern Arkansas (11-13, 7-11 GAC) ignited the home crowd with an 11-0 run, fueled by three consecutive three-pointers in a span of just 66 seconds. By the end of the first quarter, Harding trailed 19-7—the largest deficit the team has faced after 10 minutes all season.

The Lady Bisons began their ascent in the second quarter. Maddi Holt sparked a 9-0 run, accounting for seven points in that stretch to pull Harding within three. While the Muleriders took a 29-25 lead into the locker room, the momentum had clearly shifted.

Harding took its first lead of the game with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter when Holt buried a three-pointer from the right wing to make it 37-36. Kori Sanders then took over late in the period, scoring the final four points of a 9-2 run that gave the Lady Bisons a 46-40 cushion heading into the fourth.

The final period was a battle of resilience. After Allie Rehl pushed the Harding lead to 56-49 with a triple, SAU responded with six straight points to cut the margin to 56-55 with three minutes to play. Holt again provided the answer, draining a clutch corner three to extend the lead back to four. In the final minute, Rehl converted a reverse layup off a find from Sanders, and Josie Williams iced the game with two free throws to secure the road win.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Kori Sanders: Led the way with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while playing all 40 minutes.

• Maddi Holt: Finished with 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

• Josie Williams: Added 12 points and went 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.

• Allie Rehl: Provided a massive spark off the bench with eight points and five rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Ball Security: Harding turned the ball over just seven times compared to 13 for SAU, leading to a 16-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

• Efficiency: The Lady Bisons shot a blistering 50% (8-of-16) from three-point range and were nearly automatic at the line, hitting 15-of-16 (93.8%).

• Series Dominance: This marks Harding's 11th consecutive victory over Southern Arkansas.

• Hot Streak: Harding has now won 14 of its last 15 contests.

UP NEXT The Lady Bisons head to Ada, Oklahoma, on Thursday, Feb. 19, to take on East Central. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.