SEARCY, Ark. – The Reddies went on the road to face the #12 ranked Harding Bisons today, defeating them 69-66. This was the first win in Searcy by the Reddies since 2021.

The Reddies (7-1, 3-1) were led tonight by Natalie Cardenas, who scored 22 points, who was 7-15 from the floor, and 8-10 at the free-throw line. Brynlee Huggins followed with 19 points on the night, and Jayla Lewis added 10. Grayson Fairless led the Reddies with 10 rebounds, while Cardenas provided seven, and Huggins added six. Sam Basson provided the most assists with five, while three other Reddies each added one.

Game Recap
The first quarter was back and forth scoring affair, as both teams scored early and quickly. Harding took a small lead 11-6 with 5:30 left in the quarter. The scoring continued, with the Bisons holding a small lead. While the Reddies were able to narrow the lead down to 20-15, Harding scored two more to lead, going into the second quarter 22-15.

The Reddies started the second quarter with five quick points, making the score 24-20, before Huggins scored a three and two free throws to take the lead 27-26. Both teams continued to score back and forth, each exchanging the lead four times until the Bisons made a free-throw to tie it 31-31 with 3 minutes left in the half. Fairless scored a layup to recapture the lead, but a last second jumper tied it 33-33 going into the half.

Harding was the aggressor coming out of the half, as they scored four straight points to take the lead 37-33. Cardenas scored a jumper and Lewis nailed a three to retake the lead 38-37. A nine-point run by the Bisons, however, gave Harding the lead 46-38 with 3:37 left in the quarter. The Reddies attempted a comeback as two scores by Huggins and a layup by Sam Basson narrowed the lead to 49-46 going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, Huggins opened the scoring for the Reddies, giving them a 51-49 lead. The Reddies would not surrender the lead, and four points by Fairless and a layup by Cardenas extended the lead for the Reddies 59-52 with 5:48 left in the game. Harding stormed back, scoring eight points to take a 60-59 lead with 3:18 left in the game. Cardenas scored five points to give the Reddies a 64-62 lead going into the final minute. While Harding tied it, Huggins scored a layup and one to give Henderson a 67-64 lead with 30 seconds left. While Harding scored two free throws, Cardenas sealed the game for the Reddies, scoring two free throws to secure the 69-66 win.

Up Next –
Women's Basketball end 2025 on the road in Magnolia, Arkansas. As they face Southern Arkansas on December 18th at 5:30 PM.