""o....en's basket;ball North Alabama Lyon Texas A&M-Commerce Alabama-Huntsville Missouri-Rolla Lyon Southwest Baptist West Alabama Mi sissippi-Women Williams Baptist Delta State Arkansas-' onticello Southern Arkansas Central Arkansas Christian Brothers Ouachita Baptist Arkansas Tech Henderson State Central Baptist Loss 54-71 Win 82-72 Win 62-60 Win 60-51 Win 70-46 Win 74-48 Loss 53-74 , Win 80-69 Win 75-62 Win 83-55 Loss 54-58; Win 65-56 Win 48-44; Loss 57-79 Win 73-71; Win 62-60 Loss 50-80; Win 75-68 Win 61-38; Loss 77-83 Win 64-58; Win 91-71 Loss 44-52; Loss 49-52 Loss 54-75; Loss 65-78 Win 67-50 (Ptioto by Lindsey Taliaferro) Senior guard Julie Hammitt drives past an Arkansas Tech defender in a Gulf South Conference matchup Jan. 30. The Lady Bisons lost to Arkansas Tech, giving the learn its first loss at home and ending an eight-game winning streak. (Photo by Lindsey Taliaferro) season halt!itat one Although the Lady Bisons feU one game short of gaining a spot in the Gulf South Conference tourna– ment, the team's finish of 17-10 resulted in the first winning season in three years. Their winning record, along with other accom– plishments during the season, displayed the team's efforts and abilities to overcome low expectations resulting from the struggles of last season. "After you look at the resuJts of last year, you see more positives from this year," Brad Francis, head coach, said. The Lady Bisons returned four players to the court as seven newcomers joined the team. With a young team, the Lady Bisons were picked to finish seventh out of nine teams in the GSC West Division. However, the team exceeded expectations as they finished fifth. "This teamhad an excellent chemistry that helped the younger players to immediately be incorporated into the team," senior Julie Hammitt said. Each game, team members recognized their abili– ties, and they knew their determination could push them into a dominating position in the conference. "A major difference for this year's team was an attitude that said 'we could do it,'" freshman Kendra Beard said. "We wanted to win." Senior Susan Berry, one of three returning start– ers, missed the majority of the season due to an ACL injury. Junior Tiffany Phillips, the team's top scorer with 13.3 points per game, sat the bench for one-and– a-half games after fracturing her index finger. "Though our season was full of injuries, the girls on this team were always willing to take up the slack," Francis said. SeniorsHeather LawrenceandHammittprovided leadership for the team as they ended the season as two of Harding's top three scorers. "This was the best season we've had since I've beenatHarding,"Lawrencesaid. "Each gamebrought new excitement." The Lady Bisons triumphed over the 11th ranked UniversityofCentraIArkansasFeb.17. Defeatingthe UCA Sugar Bears, the Lady Bisons shocked fans at home as they beat their highest ranked opponent since Harding joined the NCAA in 1997. To conclude their season of overcoming expecta– tions, the Lady Bisons topped the GSC record crowd for a women's basketball game. Around 3,250 people filled the Rhodes Field House for the Henderson State game March 1. -Emily Sane women's basketball 259 1mlll .
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==