Harding Women’s Basketball Travels to Christian Brothers

Courtesy Harding University Athletics Department

SEARCY – The Harding women’s basketball team travels to Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday to face Christian Brothers in their final non-conference game of the season. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 4-4 record.

Harding leads the series between the two teams 21-18. The Lady Bisons defeated Christian Brothers 73-50 in its season opener in Searcy this season. Sophomore guard Shana Holmes led HU with 17 points and junior forward Kristen Celsor had 14 points, hitting 6-of-11 from the field.

Harding is coming off a 72-53 win over Missouri Southern State last Saturday. The Lady Bisons were led by Kristen Celsor who had a career-high 33 points. Celsor made 12-of-18 from the field and was perfect from the free throw line hitting 8-of-8. It was the most points by a Harding player this season. Celsor also had a career-high six steals.

HU has three players that average over 10 points a game – Shana Holmes (14.5), Kristen Celsor (14.0) and sophomore forward Arielle Saunders (10.8).

Harding has had a player capture a double-double four times this season. Both Arielle Saunders and sophomore guard Montana Lewiseach have two double-doubles for the Lady Bisons.

Saunders leads HU in rebounds, averaging 7.8 a game. She has led HU in rebounds six times this season. Saunders also leads the Lady Bisons in blocks with 13 (1.6 bpg).

Harding is 1-2 on the road in non-conference games this season but is 3-2 overall against non-conference opponents. HU’s only road victory came at St. Edward’s. The Lady Bisons won 74-61. Harding fell at Central Missouri (78-62) and St. Mary’s (78-58).

Christian Brothers, a NCAA Division II member of Gulf South Conference, heads into the game with a 3-4 overall record. It has been 10 days since the Lady Bucs have taken the court. CBU defeated Lane 79-60 on Dec. 8th.

The Lady Bucs are 2-0 at home this season with both wins being by one point. CBU defeated Missouri-St. Louis 56-55 and GAC member Arkansas-Monticello 62-61.

Christian Brothers is led by sophomore guard Breanna Ridgell who averages 16.3 points and 4.6 rebounds. Freshman forward Samantha Reeves averages 10.2 points and leads CBU in rebounds averaging 6.3 a game.

Check Hardingsports.com for links to the live stats and live video.