08 Oct 2025 Harding Women’s Basketball sits atop GAC Preseason Poll

Posted at 9:14 PMh in Sports by

RUSSELLVILLE — On Wednesday, the Great American Conference released the results of the 2025-26 women’s basketball preseason coaches poll. Harding and Southern Nazarene each received 111 points to tie for first place. The Lady Bisons claimed five first-place votes.

Sage Hawley

A season ago, the Lady Bisons captured the GAC Championship title by defeating Southeastern Oklahoma State in the final. They must replace three First-Team All-GAC selections in Rory Geer, Sage Hawley and Aubrey Isbell. Hawley added D2CCA All-America honors. Two starters – Josie Williams and Maddi Holt return. Williams averaged 9.8 points per game and shot 40.9 percent on her 3-point tries. Holt averaged 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds.

Last season, the Crimson Storm earned their third-straight NCAA Regional berth. While they lose Hannah Giddey – the 2024-25 GAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year – they return four – Jena Bay, Jordan Hoffman, Hannah Duncan and Jillian Crawford – who combined for 67 starts.

Southwestern Oklahoma State collected three first first-place votes and finished third in the balloting. Following a 16-13 record last year, this year’s Lady Bulldog squad features 10 newcomers, including three Division I transfers.

Southeastern Oklahoma State edged out Oklahoma Baptist by three points for fourth place.

East Central claimed sixth, followed by Northwestern Oklahoma State, Arkansas Tech and Henderson State.

Southern Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist and Arkansas-Monticello rounded out the poll. The Tigers feature a new head coach in Nick Long.

The Lady Bisons open the season at the Texas Woman’s Tip Off on Friday, November 7. They face Texas Woman’s the following day. SWOSU, Southeastern, Oklahoma Baptist, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Arkansas Tech, Henderson State, SAU and UAM begin on Friday the 14th. Ouachita Baptist and ECU start on Tuesday the 18th. The Crimson Storm debut on the 19th.

The 2026 GAC Championship will take place at Northside Arena in Fort Smith. The top eight teams will compete for the automatic bid starting on Thursday, March 5 and concluding on Sunday, March 8.