JOPLIN, Mo. – Harding's women surrendered a nine-point fourth-quarter lead but never trailed in overtime in an 87-81 victory over Missouri Southern State Saturday at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The game was part of the GAC-MIAA Conference Challenge.

The victory was Harding's first of the season and evened the team's record at 1-1. Missouri Southern fell to 0-2.

With the game tied at 77-77, freshman Aubrey Isbell sank two free throws that put the Lady Bisons ahead for good. Harding twice led by six in overtime.

Missouri Southern's Lacy Stokes hit a jumper in the paint with 23 seconds left in the fourth to send the game to overtime. Harding missed two layups on its last possession with a chance to win in regulation.

Fifth-year player Hannah Collins scored a career-high 22 points for Harding on 7-of-13 shooting. Junior Jacie Evans scored 20 points for the second consecutive game, and sophomore Sage Hawley had 18 points and 13 rebounds, her third career double-double. Isbell scored 10 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. She was 6 of 8 from the field and 4 of 4 at the foul line.

Stokes led Missouri Southern with 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Harding returns to action Saturday, Nov. 20, taking on Central Oklahoma in its home opener at 6 p.m.