15 Jan 2025 Lady Bisons extend winning streak to nine

SEARCY – Harding’s women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to secure a 73-62 victory over Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

The Lady Bisons (12-2, 8-0 GAC) scored 10 unanswered points after Oklahoma Baptist (10-4, 6-2 GAC) opened the game with two points, taking a 10-2 lead. Harding’s offense continued to click, going on a 22-2 run to lead 23-6 after the first quarter.

In the first quarter, Harding shot 52.9% (9 of 17) from the field and made 4 of 8 three-pointers. Oklahoma Baptist struggled, shooting only 2 of 14 (14.3%) and missing all six three-point attempts.

Oklahoma Baptist fought back in the second quarter, using a 6-0 run to cut Harding’s lead to 27-19. However, the Lady Bisons responded with a 9-2 run to close the half, taking a 36-21 lead into the break.

In the third quarter, Oklahoma Baptist made three early three-pointers, but Harding maintained its lead, hitting all four of its free throw attempts to lead 48-34 with 3:44 left.

Harding’s lead was cut to 61-51 with 5:29 remaining, but Rory Geer’s traditional three-point play pushed the lead back to 68-57 with 2:36 left. Oklahoma Baptist answered with five straight points, cutting the deficit to 68-62 with 1:38 remaining.

The Lady Bisons sealed the win with clutch free throw shooting, as Maddi Holt made two with 1:24 left, and Josie Williams added a free throw with 26 seconds remaining.

Sage Hawley led Harding with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Rory Geer had 15 points and 10 rebounds, her fifth double-double of the season. Josie Williams and Aubrey Isbell added 13 points each.

Harding shot 82.6% (19 of 23) from the free throw line, including 16 of 17 in the second half. The Lady Bisons have now won nine straight games and lead the Great American Conference with an 8-0 record. It was Harding’s 12th straight win over Oklahoma Baptist and its 10th straight over OKBU in Searcy.