The Lady Bisons basketball team went 7-2 in January, ending the month with a 72-51 win at home against East Central University on Jan. 26 and a 56-66 loss on the road to Southern Nazarene University on Jan. 31. Currently 12-6 for the season, the Lady Bisons are ranked No. 4 in the Great American Conference, with an 8-4 record in conference play.
East Central University came to Searcy with a 13-4 record and was tied for first place in the GAC standings, but after losing to the Lady Bisons the team was knocked down to third place. Junior forward Kristen Celsor led the Lady Bisons during the game with 16 points, while sophomore guard Shana Holmes made four three-pointers, her career high.
Lady Bisons head coach Tim Kirby said that although the team had some trouble defending against East Central University’s post player, he is very proud of the intensity that the team showed on both offense and defense.
“Their post player is a really good scorer and we could have done a better job of keeping her out of her comfortable spots on the floor,” Kirby said. “But I thought we played a good game on both ends of the floor tonight. They are a very good offensive team and we did a good job of getting stops. Defensive intensity was very good.”
Five days later the Lady Bisons faced off against 9-9 Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City. Although the Lady Bisons forced 17 of Southern Nazarene’s 24 turnovers and scored 19 points off turnovers in the first half, the Lady Bisons could not keep Southern Nazarene from outscoring.
“We were disappointed with the performance,” Saunders said. “We know we’re capable of performing a lot better. We just didn’t come out focused and ready to play.”
After their game against Southern Nazarene, the Lady Bisons were 4-5 for away games.
“Playing wellon the road is something that championship teams do,” Kirby said. “It requires a mental and physicaltoughness that teams have to develop. Ours is a work in progress. Our trips to Oklahoma will determine a lot when it comes to our stretch run in our conference season.”
The Lady Bisons played Northwestern Oklahoma State University last night in Alva, Okla. Visit www.hardingsports.com for results of the game. Tomorrow, the team will play Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla. at 2 p.m.
