RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Kylie Ladd turned in a 20-point, five-rebound, four-assist effort, leading the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (21-3, 17-3 Great American Conference) to a thrilling 56-54 win over Harding (14-14, 10-10) on Monday night at Tucker Coliseum.
 
NEXT UP

• The Golden Suns travel to Arkadelphia on Thursday, Feb. 22 for a matchup with Ouachita Baptist. A 5:30 p.m. tip-off is scheduled.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams traded baskets over the first quarter, with nine lead changes.
• Neither team claimed more than a three-point lead in the opening quarter.
• Ladd hit a pair of free throws at the 9:14 mark of the second quarter to push Tech's lead to five (20-15) – a mark that would stand as the Golden Suns' largest lead of the contest.
• Harding scored the next five points to tie the contest, and there were five lead changes in the second quarter.
• Harding controlled the pace through the third quarter, stretching its lead to five points on four different occasions, and carrying a three-point (44-41) advantage into the fourth quarter.
• A 3-pointer by Ladd with 6:45 to play gave Tech the lead back, but four minutes later the Lady Bisons' Peyton Padgett sunk a 3-pointer to give Harding a 54-52 advantage.
• Tech would hold Harding off the board over the game's final 2:22, knotting the game at the 1:34 mark on a pair of free throws by Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse and reclaiming the lead for good with 21 seconds to play on a Jayana Sanders layup.

NOTABLES

• Ladd was Tech's only player to reach double figures in points. Lyrik Williams chipped in eight points.
• Stackhouse and Cheyenne North led Tech with eight boards apiece.
• Tech outshot Harding 31.7 to 27.8 percent.
• Harding held a 47-41 rebounding advantage, and Tech forced 20 Lady Bisons turnovers.
• North had five blocks – one shy of her season high.