SEARCY, Arkansas – The Ouachita Baptist University women's basketball team dropped a Great American Conference road game to Harding on Saturday by a final score of 79-72.

The Tigers (7-12, 5-10 GAC) led by 11 with under eight minutes remaining in regulation, but the Bison (15-5, 11-4 GAC) went on a 14-2 run over the ensuing four minutes to take a one-point lead with 3:51 remaining. Harding held Ouachita to just three points in the final three minutes of the game.

The first two period of the game were back-and-forth, with neither team holding a lead of more than six points. The Tigers jumped out to a double-digit lead with an 8-0 run in the first four minutes of the third period. Ouachita led by as much as 14 on a three-pointer by Laney Mears with 4:37 remaining in the third to put the Tigers up 47-33.

Mears turned in a career-high 23 points in the loss. She was 7-for-15 from the field, 5-for-9 on three-pointers, and 4-for-4 on foul shots.

Aspen Thornton followed with 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Makayla Miller added 18 points.

Ouachita is back in Arkadelphia for three straight games, starting Monday, February 7 against cross-street rival Henderson State in a game that was originally scheduled for this past Thursday, February 3, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Monday's tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Vining Arena.