OWENSBORO, Ky. — A decisive second-quarter surge and 20 turnovers proved costly for the Harding women's basketball team as the Lady Bisons dropped an 84-66 decision to perennial South Region power Union (Tenn.) on Friday morning in the season opener at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
Harding (0-1), the defending Great American Conference regular-season champion and preseason league favorite, battled back from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to pull within seven, but the Lady Bulldogs (1-0) answered with a timely fourth-quarter run to put the contest out of reach.
The Lady Bisons were led by 3rd-year guard Allie Rehl, who scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench, while 2nd-year guard Alli McAda added 13 points and four boards. 4th-year guard Maddi Holt chipped in 10 points and four assists.
Union set the tempo early with its transition game and paint dominance, outscoring Harding 40-22 inside and capitalizing on miscues with a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Lady Bisons stayed within striking distance through the opening 10 minutes, tying the game twice before trailing 16-14 after one quarter. However, the Lady Bulldogs seized control in the second frame. Sparked by 5-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc and 10 fast-break points in the first half, Union outscored Harding 22-11 in the period to take a 38-25 cushion into the locker room.
Harding came out firing in the third quarter, producing its most efficient stretch of the morning. The Lady Bisons shot 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from the floor and poured in 27 points in the period. Trailing 51-36 with 6:17 remaining, Harding mounted an 8-0 run keyed by a corner 3-pointer from 1st-year forward Rowan Geer and a transition triple from Rehl, trimming the deficit to 51-44 at the 4:45 mark.
Union countered with timely interior scoring from Grace Abram (game-high 18 points) and All-GSC guard Olivia Lee (14 points), pushing the margin back to double digits before a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter extended the Lady Bulldogs' lead to 74-52.
Directing the offense, 4th-year guard Josie Williams handed out a game-high six assists to go with nine points and four rebounds. In the paint, 2nd-year center Kennedy Stout tallied six points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots, while 2nd-year guard Kori Sanders added five points and two steals.
The contest also featured the Lady Bison debuts of four newcomers: 5th-year transfer forward Taelor Coxford (two points), Geer (three points, three rebounds), and 1st-year players Livi Fosness (one assist) and Karstyn Scrivner.
Harding shot 39.1 percent from the floor (25-of-64) and had an efficient outing from long range, knocking down 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from 3-point territory. The Lady Bisons also edged the Lady Bulldogs on the glass, 43-41, pulling down 16 offensive rebounds. Union shot 42.7 percent overall (32-of-75) and converted 9-of-11 free throws (81.8 percent).
UP NEXT
The Lady Bisons conclude their opening weekend in Owensboro on Saturday, Nov. 7, squaring off against Atlantic Region contender Gannon at 2 p.m. at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
