Alva Review-Courier -

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State's dribble penetration gave the Reddies an early lead and a 3-point barrage in the third quarter helped them pull away. Henderson State defeated Harding 79-64 Thursday in Great American Conference action at the Duke Wells Center.

The victory was the seventh straight for Henderson State, who improved to 11-4 overall and 7-2 in conference games. Harding (6-12, 2-8) remained winless in seven road games.

Pink Jones, a sophomore guard from Fayetteville, Arkansas, sliced through the Harding defense and scored most of her game-high 29 points from within a few feet of the basket. Jones was 12 of 18 from the field.

Jones had 17 points in the first half to help give Henderson State a 36-29 halftime lead. The Reddies scored 26 of their points in the paint.

Henderson State missed 11 of its first 12 3-pointers, but Torrie Thompson connected on the first of four 3-pointers for the Reddies in the third quarter with 7:07 left. Hailey Estes, who scored 16 points, made the fourth 3-pointer in the period with 1:14 remaining, and Henderson State led 60-42 at that point.

Harding's best offensive quarter was the fourth. The Lady Bisons outscored the Reddies 19-18 in the period.

Freshman Kellie Lampo had 12 of her 17 points in the second half to lead the Lady Bisons. Lampo was 8 of 15 from the field and also had a team-high eight rebounds. Sydney Layrock had 10 points, eight in the first half.

Henderson State outshot Harding 48 percent to 38 percent and had a 40-28 lead in the paint.

Harding will be back in action Saturday. The Lady Bisons will travel to Monticello to take on Arkansas-Monticello at 2 p.m. at the Steelman Fieldhouse.