News Taffy

SEARCY – The Harding Lady Bisons used only six players but remained undefeated at Rhodes Field House this season with a 66-49 victory over Henderson State in front of a packed house.

Harding (13-5, 6-2) has been hit by a rash of injuries this season, including a knee injury to leading scorer and rebounder Sierra Rollins in the Lady Bisons' victory over Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday.

Despite the limited number of players, Harding shot 47 percent from the field and led from the 18-minute mark of the first half on. It was the Lady Bisons' eighth straight home win and fourth straight this season in Great American Conference play.

With the first half of the conference season completed, Harding is in sole possession of second place in the nine-team conference. Southwestern Oklahoma State, who did not play Saturday, leads the GAC with a 7-1 conference mark.

Senior Cherilyn McMenamy, whose season high was eight points, scored 20 to lead Harding. She connected on 8-of-12 shots, including two 3-pointers, and added seven rebounds. Freshman Montana Lewis added 16 points, and sophomore Kristen Celsor had nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Henderson State (11-7, 4-4) lost its fourth straight conference game and managed only 35 percent shooting. The Lady Reddies had only 18 points in the first half.

Freshman Aungelique Sledge came off the bench to lead Henderson State with 14 points. She made 6-of-12 shots and had a team-high four steals.

After playing five games in 10 days and going 4-1 during that stretch, Harding does not play again until Saturday, Feb. 4 against Southern Arkansas in Magnolia.

by Scott Goode