DENTON, Texas — Josie Williams hit a clutch go-ahead jumper in the final minute and sealed the game at the free-throw line, propelling No. 25 Harding women's basketball to a thrilling 69-66 victory over No. 23 Tampa of the D2 Sunshine State Conference on Friday in the opening contest of the Texas Woman's Tip-Off Classic.
The hard-fought win marked the 23rd time in program history that the Lady Bisons have defeated a nationally ranked opponent. Tampa was an NCAA Division II South Regional qualifier last season.
Harding was forced to battle back after trailing by as many as 11 points in the first quarter and facing a 34-28 deficit at halftime. Tampa's offense was hot early, sinking 6 of its first 8 shots, but Harding stayed resilient, cutting the initial gap to 20-16 by the end of the first period thanks to a 7-0 run, including a three-pointer from Williams.
The third quarter saw the Lady Bisons briefly seize control with a 14-7 run, taking their first lead since the opening minutes on a Maddi Holt layup, 42-41, with 4:39 left. However, Tampa responded immediately with a 7-0 surge, ultimately taking a 50-46 lead into the final frame.
The fourth quarter provided a tense, back-and-forth finish. Tampa extended its lead to six points, 54-48, early on, but Harding answered with a decisive 9-1 run. Kori Sanders buried a three-pointer with 3:50 left to put the Lady Bisons up 59-58.
The lead changed hands three times in the final 68 seconds. After Tampa's Amy Thompson (17 points, five 3-pointers) gave the Spartans a 66-65 lead with a three-pointer at the 1:08 mark, Williams answered with a jumper at 0:36 to put Harding ahead for good, 67-66.
Harding secured the victory when Thompson missed two free throws with 13 seconds remaining. Tampa was then forced to foul Williams, who calmly sank both free throws with 10 seconds left, extending the final margin to 69-66. Thompson's potential game-tying three-pointer missed at the buzzer.
Williams led Harding with 17 points, five rebounds, and four made free throws. Sanders finished with 15 points, Kennedy Stout added 12, Maddi Holt chipped in 11, and Alli McAda contributed 10 points. Tampa was led by Ryan Franklin with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds.
Harding continues play in the Texas Woman's Tip-Off Classic on Saturday at 6 p.m. against the host Pioneers.
