SEARCY, Ark. — Henderson State got 24 points from Pink Jones and had a chance to tie or win in the final seconds on Saturday night, but Harding got just enough stops late as the Lady Bisons defeated the Reddies 64-62 in the final game of the regular season for both teams.

After trailing for most of the game and still behind 47-46 entering the fourth quarter, Henderson (20-8, 16-6) finally tied things up 57-57 with 2:22 remaining in the game on a 3-pointer from Blu Jones. After a Harding basket pushed them back in front, moments later Karrington Whaley tied it up again after a nice pass from Pink Jones set her up for a lay-in.

The Lady Bisons (16-14, 12-10) got some separation with a bucket and two free throws which helped them surge to a 63-59 advantage with just 33 seconds left. Needing a basket, the Reddies got a big one, as Whaley drained her first 3-pointer of the season to cut the deficit down to 63-62 with 27 seconds to go. Harding had a chance to put the game away at the line in the final moments, but went 1 of 4 at the stripe down the stretch, leaving Henderson with the ball and a chance to tie or take the lead with less than 10 seconds to play.

Needing a bucket to tie or a 3-pointer to win, Blu Jones attacked the basket but lost control of the ball. It was kicked around underneath but was controlled by the Lady Bisons with just two seconds remaining. After Harding advanced the ball, the Reddies tried to foul, but it was too late, as time expired and the Lady Bisons were able to escape with the win.

Pink Jones led Henderson offensively and finished with 24 points, six steals, five rebounds and four assists. Blu Jones added 11, while Whaley again played well for the Reddies and chipped in five points, five rebounds and an astounding eight blocked shots.

In a fast-paced first quarter, Henderson got nine early points from Pink Jones to take a 20-18 lead after one. Things slowed down considerably for both teams in the second, as Harding out-scored the Reddies 8-4 in the quarter to grab a 26-24 lead at the break. Henderson's defense kept them in it in the period, as the Reddies hit just one shot from the field after shooting 55 percent in the opening 10 minutes. Harding came out hot in the second half and hit five of its first six shots to open up its biggest lead of the game, 38-29, with 6:19 to go in the third quarter, but Pink Jones helped the Reddies claw back into it by powering a 17-8 run to close the quarter.

Henderson forced 22 Harding turnovers in the game with a hectic full-court press, but shot just 35 percent from the field on the night and was out-rebounded 43-29. HSU's 20 wins this season is a 12-game improvement from last year and its 16 conference victories is the most in a single season in program history.

The Reddies will now turn their attention to the Great American Conference Tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Henderson is the No. 3 seed and will play the No. 6 seed Ouachita Baptist at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 4 in the first round.