FORT SMITH, Ark. — Junior guard Josie Williams scored 20 factors and the top-seeded, No. 18-ranked Harding Lady Bisons used a suffocating protection to defeat Southern Nazarene 67-59 within the quarterfinals of the Great American Conference Tournament on Thursday night time.
Harding (24-5), the match’s No. 1 seed, advances to face the winner of the Henderson State-Southeastern Oklahoma matchup within the semifinals on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. on the Stubblefield Center.
The Lady Bisons leaned on their championship-caliber protection to full a three-game season sweep of the Storm (10-17). Harding compelled 17 turnovers and capitalized with a 20-8 benefit in factors off these miscues. The Lady Bisons additionally dominated the charity stripe, ending 19-of-25 (76 p.c) in contrast to SNU’s 9-of-15.
The contest shifted for good within the first interval. After an early 3-point lead by SNU, the Lady Bisons ignited a 13-0 run. Maddi Holt hit a triple from the proper wing, and layups from Williams, Allie Rehl, and Myiah Butler fueled a 15-3 closing run that gave Harding an 18-9 lead on the finish of 1.
Harding pushed its lead to a game-high 14 factors within the second quarter. The surge was highlighted by back-to-back 3-point performs from Kori Sanders and Williams, making it 33-19 earlier than the Storm narrowed the hole to eight on the half.
Despite a chilly capturing stretch within the third quarter the place the Lady Bisons went the ultimate 3:50 with no subject purpose, Sanders hit 4 consecutive free throws to maintain the Storm at bay.
The prime seed regained its composure to begin the fourth. Holt scored two fast layups and Williams added a jumper to push the lead again to 52-41. Southern Nazarene made a late push to minimize the lead to 62-56 with 2:06 left, however Williams remained composed, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line within the remaining minute to safe the victory.
Williams led all scorers with 20 factors on 6-of-12 capturing. Sanders completed with 14 factors and a team-high eight rebounds, whereas Holt added seven factors and Rehl chipped in eight.
Halyn Browning led Southern Nazarene with 16 factors and 7 rebounds.
Harding outshot SNU 40 p.c to 36.8 p.c and maintained a 30-24 benefit in factors within the paint.
Saturday’s semifinal recreation can be broadcast dwell on KVHU 95.3 FM and GACSportsNetwork.com.