WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball battled No. 15-ranked Harding for 40 minutes Saturday afternoon, but a late run by the Lady Bisons proved decisive in a 63-58 loss inside the Pioneer Event Center.
The Lady Bulldogs kept the game within reach throughout and were tied early in the fourth quarter before Harding created separation with an 11-0 run that provided the cushion it leaned on down the stretch.
Harding controlled the opening quarter, building an 18-11 lead behind efficient shooting. The Lady Bulldogs struggled to gain traction offensively early and trailed by seven after one.
The margin remained the same at halftime after a Harding jumper at the buzzer sent the Lady Bisons into the break up 31-24. Harding's strong first quarter, where it shot 8-of-14 from the field, proved to be the difference in the half. Both teams shot below 30% in the second quarter, while Harding also held a 23-12 rebounding advantage through 20 minutes.
SWOSU made its push coming out of the locker room. Four three-pointers in the third quarter helped the Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit to one possession, trailing 43-40 entering the fourth. SWOSU limited Harding to 1-of-10 shooting to open the quarter and used a 9-2 run to briefly pull even before the Lady Bisons found their footing late, connecting on their final three shots of the period — including a pair of three-pointers — to halt the momentum.
The fourth quarter turned into a physical back-and-forth battle, with both teams scoring on their first two possessions. Harding eventually broke the deadlock with an 11-0 run midway through the frame, building a cushion that SWOSU could not erase. Harding guard Josie Williams scored 12 of her game-high 20 points in the final quarter to help close it out.
SWOSU finished the game shooting 35% from the field and knocked down 10 three-pointers on 38.5% shooting from deep. The Lady Bulldogs went 8-of-12 at the free-throw line. Harding shot 39% overall, went 7-of-22 from beyond the arc, and finished 6-of-9 at the foul line.
Landry Allen led SWOSU with 16 points and anchored the defense with seven blocks and four steals.
Elle Papahronis added 15 points and five rebounds, while
Payten Conde reached double figures for the sixth time this season with 13 points, connecting on 3-of-7 attempts from three-point range.
SWOSU (7-11, 5-8 GAC) will hit the road next week, traveling to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to face Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State in continued conference play.
