No. 3 Harding Wins Home Opener 65-63 over Missouri Southern
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November 16, 2017
SEARCY – Harding junior Caroline Hogue blocked a potential game-winning 3-pointer and defended against a potential game-tying layup, both in the game's last eight seconds, to help the No. 3 Lady Bisons hold on to a 65-63 victory over Missouri Southern Tuesday in Harding's home opener at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
With the victory, Harding improved to 1-2 and won its 14th straight home opener. Missouri Southern fell to 0-3 and lost its fourth straight to Harding.
Harding held its two-point lead with just under eight seconds left, when Hogue blocked a 3-point attempt from Jenson Maydew, Hogue's seventh block of the game. A foul on the rebound sent Harding's Sydney Layrock to the free throw line with 6.1 seconds left. Layrock missed both free throws, and Missouri Southern grabbed the rebound. The Lions had one last attempt at the buzzer but Maydew's layup over Hogue's outstretched arms missed, and Harding held on for the victory.
Harding's last points came with 1:27 left when Peyton Padgett made a back cut and took a no-look pass from Carissa Caples to hit a layup and break a 63-63 tie.
Harding controlled the paint on both ends of the floor, but Missouri Southern countered with 12 3-pointers in the game. The Lady Bisons outscored the Lions 40-12 in the paint and created problems for Missouri Southern in the low post. Harding blocked 11 shots and forced Missouri Southern into only 5-of-24 shooting on layups.
Hogue led Harding in scoring with 21 points and added 10 rebounds to go with her seven blocks. Freshman Kellie Lampo scored 11 points and had seven rebounds, and Layrock scored 10.
Chelsey Henry made five of Missouri Southern's 12 3-pointers and led all scorers with 26 points.
The game had 14 lead changes, 13 of them in the second half.
Both teams made 13 free throws, but Harding shot only 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) from the line.
Harding's next action is Thursday when the Lady Bisons go on the road to open Great American Conference play against Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant. Tipoff at Bloomer Sullivan Arena is at 5:30 p.m.
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