Box Score

NASHVILLE – The Harding women's basketball team defeated NCAA Division I Lipscomb in their final exhibition game before the start of the regular season on Saturday 51-45. The Lady Bisons open the 2011-12 campaign on the road at Missouri Southern State at 7 p.m., on Nov. 11.

Harding held Lipscomb to shooting 17-of-61 from the field (27.9 percent) and 6-of-20 from behind the 3-point line (20.0 percent).

Lipscomb led 26-20 at halftime and led by nine early in the second half before the Lady Bisons mounted a comeback. Harding went on an 11-0 run and took their first lead with 10:57 left to play. The Lady Bisons held LU to without a field goal until 5:33 left in the game when Anna Bowers hit a 3-pointer to pull Lipscomb within one, 44-43. Harding played solid defense down the stretch and again held LU to without a basket until three seconds remaining in the game but it was too late. During Lipscomb's drought, the Lady Bisons built on their lead and led by as much as eight to seal the victory.

Freshman guard Shana Holmes led the Lady Bisons with a game-high 14 points. Holmes shot 4-of-9 from the field, including two 3-pointers. Senior guard Sierra Rollins was the other Harding player in double-figure scoring with 10 points. Rollins averaged over 10 points in all three exhibition games.

Bowers led Lipscomb with 14 points. Three of her four field goals came from behind the 3-point line.

Harding outrebounded LU 52-45. Freshman forward Arielle Saunders led HU with nine, including four offensive. Rollins was close behind her with eight.