Defensive Dominance: Harding Wins Fourth Straight, Downs Delta State – Harding University Athletics

SEARCY – Harding put on a defensive clinic in the first half of a 71-50 victory over Delta State on Monday in nonconference women’s basketball action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

The victory was Harding’s fourth straight and pushed the Lady Bisons’ record to 4-1 overall. Delta State lost its second straight and fell to 2-2. It was the first time in the 28-game history of the series, which started in 2000, that the Lady Bisons won consecutive games against the Lady Statesmen.

Harding’s man-to-man defense held Delta State to only 5-of-30 (16.7%) shooting in the first half, and the Lady Bisons led by as many as 25 points before taking a 40-17 lead into the break.

Harding extended its lead to as many as 28 in the third quarter before Delta State connected on a couple of late 3-pointers that sent the game to the fourth quarter with the Lady Bisons leading 53-31.

Sage Hawley led Harding with 16 points and added eight rebounds. Rory Geer scored 12 points and had eight rebounds. Harley Harbour and Maddi Holt both scored eight.

Harding opens Great American Conference play at Ouachita Baptist on Nov. 30 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.