While most students were relaxing at home with their families during Thanksgiving break, the Lady Bisons basketball team played two games in Texas.
After suffering a loss on Saturday, the team played against the Saint Edwards University Hilltoppers on Sunday to bring their record to 2-2. The Lady Bisons won the game decisively, defeating the Hilltoppers 74-61. In Sunday’s game, four of Harding’s players each scored more than 10 points. Shana Holmes, a sophomore guard for the Bisons, scored 15 points alone. Following closely, sophomore forward Arielle Saunders ended the game with 14. Junior guard Lauren Crenshaw shot a career-high of 11 points, and Montana Lewis, a sophomore guard, closed out the game with 10.
At halftime, Harding led 42-38. With the momentum on their side, the Lady Bisons forged ahead and, at one point, increased their lead to 19 points. At the end of the game, the Hilltoppers trailed by only 13 points.
Holmes, Harding’s highest scorer in Sunday’s game, has high expectations for the rest of the season.
“As the season goes on, you will see a team that is hardworking, exciting to watch, and last but not least, tough,” Holmes said. “We are hungry and we want to play to the best of our ability and achieve all the goals we have set for the season.”
David Walker, the assistant coach for the Lady Bisons, said he is confident in the abilities of this team.
“Our goals for the year are to win 20 games, win the GAC and get to the NCAA tournament,” Walker said.
While playing the Hilltoppers, Harding’s defense forced 29 turnovers that resulted in 32 points.
Walker said he believes that this type of defense is essential to the success of the team.
“The only way to achieve our goals is if we have a great defensive effort each time we step on the floor,” Walker said.
Including the exhibition season, the Lady Bisons have played six games on the road in five different states.
The next game the Lady Bisons play is both the home opener and conference opener.
“We’re excited about the fact that we get to open conference at home,” Saunders said. “We have all week to prepare for this game and to work on everything we need to get fixed before we play again.”
The Lady Bisons will take on the Crimson Storm from Southern Nazarene University at 2 p.m. in the Rhodes Field House on Dec. 1.
