“I Bleed Green and Gold” table during Thursday’s games for an opportunity to win prizes. #6 Harding Lady Bisons (17-0, 9-0) at Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (8-6, 4-4) When: Thursday, Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m. Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville Radio/Internet: KWKK 100.9 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com Series: Tech leads 52-3 About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech collected its second consecutive victory by defeating Southern Arkansas University 59-42 on Saturday. Junior forward Jacinda Myers-Sanders notched 14 points and 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the 2013-14 season. The Golden Suns earned a pair of tightly-contested wins over Harding last season. Tech held the Lady Bisons to 24 percent shooting from the field in a 50-43 Golden Suns’ victory at Searcy on Jan. 24, 2013. Arkansas Tech clinched a share of the 2012-13 GAC title when Caitlyn Spurgeon blocked a 3-point try at the buzzer by Harding’s Shana Holmes to preserve a 69-67 win for the Suns on Feb. 28, 2013. About the Lady Bisons: Harding University is off to the best start in the history of its women’s basketball program and the Lady Bisons have achieved their highest-ever national ranking at the NCAA Division II level. Harding is one of five NCAA Division II women’s basketball teams that began the week undefeated. The Lady Bisons rank fifth in the nation in fewest turnovers (12.7 per game), ninth in the nation in both 3-point field goal percentage (.383) and 3-point field goals made (8.6 per game), 19th in the nation in scoring offense (79.5 points per game) and 23rd in the nation in scoring defense (59.6 points allowed per game). Senior forward Kristen Celsor (18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds per game) is Harding’s top player. Harding Bisons (9-6, 6-3) at Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (10-6, 5-3) When: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville Radio/Internet: KWKK 100.9 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com Series: Tech leads 74-56 About the Wonder Boys: Rebounding has been a strength for the Arkansas Tech men’s basketball team this season, but an off day on the glass cost the Wonder Boys their three-game winning streak on Saturday. Southern Arkansas University out-rebounded Arkansas Tech 47-31 as the Muleriders tripped the Wonder Boys 63-58 in Magnolia. SAU finished with a 20-3 edge in second-chance points. Arkansas Tech ranks No. 2 in the GAC in rebounding margin (+4.9 per game) this season. The Wonder Boys are 10-5 against Harding since the beginning of the 2008-09 season, but the Bisons swept the season series between the two sides in 2012-13. About the Bisons: Despite only having eight active players on its roster, Harding has won three consecutive games. Four players, including two starters, were removed from the Bisons’ roster in early January. Harding is 4-1 in five games since, including an 89-87 double overtime win at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Saturday. Sophomore guard Jacob Gibson has averaged 20 points per game since the Bisons became short-handed. Gibson scored 36 points against Henderson State on Jan. 9 and 28 points against Southern Arkansas on Jan. 16. Thursday will mark Harding’s third game of the season at Tucker Coliseum. The Bisons defeated Midwestern State 74-70 and suffered a 66-64 loss to Northeastern State during a post-Thanksgiving classic at Arkansas Tech on Nov. 29-30.]]>
