07 Jan 2026 Harding Women’s Basketball holds at No. 17

SEARCY — The Harding women’s basketball team held its ground in the national rankings this week, remaining at No. 17 in the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday.

The Lady Bisons (10-2) received 193 points in the voting, maintaining their position from the previous poll after a gritty 53-52 victory over Southern Arkansas on Saturday.

Harding is one of two Great American Conference teams in the Top 25. Northwestern Oklahoma State (11-1), which handed Harding one of its two losses this season, checked in at No. 15 with 260 points. Fellow GAC contender Henderson State (8-2) is also receiving attention, garnering 14 votes to sit just outside the Top 25.

Grand Valley State (12-0) remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation, receiving all 23 first-place votes. Minnesota State Mankato (14-0) and Texas Woman’s (11-1) rounded out the top three. Harding holds a victory over No. 3 Texas Woman’s from earlier this season.

The Lady Bisons return to action tonight, Jan. 8, as they travel to Bethany, Oklahoma, to face Southern Nazarene. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.