OWENSBORO, Ky. — The Harding women's basketball team erased a 10-point second-half deficit to pull even midway through the fourth quarter, but 12th-ranked Gannon answered with a decisive closing run to hand the Lady Bisons a 65-55 setback on Saturday afternoon at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
Harding (0-2), playing its second game in 28 hours at the Owensboro Crossover Classic, tied the contest at 51-51 when 3rd-year guard Allie Rehl sank a pair of free throws with 5:21 remaining.
However, the No. 12 Golden Knights (2-0) responded immediately. Gannon's Taylor Ethridge drained a go-ahead 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, sparking a game-ending 14-4 run to keep the nationally ranked Golden Knights unbeaten on the young season.
Rehl paced the Lady Bisons off the bench with a game-high-tying 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while 2nd-year center Myiah Butler provided an efficient spark with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 16 minutes. 2nd-year center Kennedy Stout anchored the interior with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening 10 minutes were tightly contested, featuring five lead changes and three ties. Harding held an 11-8 edge following a pull-up jumper from Rehl with 1:48 left in the first period. Gannon reclaimed the lead late in the frame on a three-point play from Kate Ratliff and an offensive putback by Olivia Pepple to take a 14-13 advantage into the second quarter.
A 3-pointer by 2nd-year guard Kori Sanders knotted the score at 21-21 at the 7:10 mark of the second quarter. From there, the 12th-ranked Golden Knights capitalized on perimeter shooting and fast-break opportunities, mounting a 12-2 run fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers from Ethridge and Jenna Winowiecki to build a 33-23 lead with 3:08 left before halftime.
A three-point play by 2nd-year forward Jalisa Walker and a putback layup from Stout trimmed the margin to five before Gannon took a 35-28 cushion into the intermission.
The Lady Bisons methodically climbed back into the game throughout the third quarter behind Butler's interior scoring. The 6-foot-3 center poured in seven points in the period, scoring on consecutive turnaround jumpers to bring Harding within 44-40. With 1:03 left in the frame, Rehl buried a transition 3-pointer off a feed from Sanders to slice Gannon's lead to 46-43.
Harding continued its surge to open the fourth quarter. Stout and 4th-year guard Josie Williams each knocked down two free throws to pull the Lady Bisons within two at 49-47. After a Ratliff basket, Rehl scored on a mid-range jumper and followed with two free throws to knot the game at 51-51 with 5:21 left on the clock.
Gannon broke the tie on Ethridge's corner triple and extended the lead to five on a floating jumper by Ratliff. 4th-year guard Maddi Holt scored a driving layup to trim the deficit to 56-53 with 3:47 to go, and Williams answered a Gannon bucket with a pull-up jumper to make it 59-55 with 1:16 left.
The Lady Bisons collected a defensive rebound with 41 seconds left with a chance to make it a one-possession contest, but a turnover gave the ball back to Gannon. The Golden Knights converted four late free throws and a transition layup in the final 24 seconds to seal the win.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Harding's bench provided the primary scoring punch, outscoring Gannon's reserves 29-21. In addition to Rehl's 15 and Butler's 11, Williams finished with eight points, while Sanders added seven points (2-of-2 3PT) and four assists in 36 minutes. Holt contributed two points, two assists, and a steal.
Williams' eight points brought her career total to 1,099 points, leaving her one point shy of the 1,100-point plateau. The contest marked her 97th consecutive start for the Lady Bisons.
Gannon was led by Ratliff, who scored 19 points with seven rebounds and four steals. Bella Deere contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, while Pepple added nine points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
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The Lady Bisons shot 43.5 percent from the field (20-of-46) and were nearly automatic at the free-throw line, finishing 12-of-14 (85.7 percent).
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No. 12 Gannon held an advantage on the boards, out-rebounding Harding 36-20, including 11 offensive rebounds that generated 10 second-chance points.
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The Golden Knights capitalized on turnovers, outscoring the Lady Bisons 20-11 in points off miscues.
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Saturday marked the first-ever meeting between Harding and Gannon in women's basketball history.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bisons return to Searcy to open their home schedule at Rhodes-Reaves Field House on Wednesday, Nov. 11, hosting Southwest Baptist. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
