Seventh-ranked Harding University shot 51.7% from the floor and never trailed Tuesday in an 86-64 win over the University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball team at UAM’s Steelman Field House.
UAM (5-4, 0-3 Great American) played a ranked team for the first time this season and had no answer for slowing down Alli McAda. The 6-foot freshman guard scored 30 points, shooting 12 of 17 from the floor, and totaled 13 rebounds to lead the Bisons (8-1, 2-1), who came off their first loss of the season Saturday at Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Josie Williams registered 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Bisons.
Harding made 30 of 58 from the field, with 7 of 15 three-point attempts made, and shot 19 for 29 in free throws. McAda went 5 for 7 from three-point range.
UAM’s bench outscored Harding’s 33-21, but the Cotton Blossoms struggled from three (3 for 19, 15.8%) while shooting 27 for 61 (44.3%) overall. The Blossoms made 7 of 9 free throws.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Jena Warren came off the bench to score 13 points for UAM. She was 6 for 12 from the floor.
Brilynn Finley scored 12 points, shooting 6 of 8 from the floor, and made five assists for UAM. Alindsey Long had 11 points and five assists and Ella Hamlin 10 points off the bench in the loss.
Harding led 50-29 at halftime.
MEN: HARDING 70, UAM 46
Also Tuesday, defending Great American tournament champion Harding got 31 points and 13 rebounds from Wesley Booker in a rout of the Boll Weevils (4-5, 0-3 Great American), who ended a seven-game homestand with three straight conference losses.
Booker shot 6 for 11 from three and 7 for 15 overall. His work on the glass helped Harding outrebound UAM 50-26, scoring 19 points off offensive boards. UAM had no second-chance points.
Marko Rangan scored 14 for the Bisons (7-2, 3-0), who led 32-23 at halftime.
Isaac Jackson had 16 points and three assists, and Giancarlo Valdez scored 10 points for UAM, which never led. Ten players checked into the game for the Weevils, who have been stricken by numerous injuries in the early part of the season.
UAM will play its first true road game since the Nov. 14 season opener when it visits Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia at 3 p.m. Saturday. The women’s game will tip off at 1 p.m.