CLEVELAND, Miss. -- Lady Statesmen basketball (2-4 overall, 1-1 GSC) lost a close game on Monday night against a challenging Harding Lady Bisons (2-3, 0-0 GAC) team. Both teams attacked the rim all night as each finished with exactly 30 points in the paint.

Delta State trailed 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Statesmen were able to find more passing lanes in a second quarter. DSU led by as many as 10 in the second, but the Lady Bisons hit their free throws late in the second to tie the game at 31 just before the end of the half. Delta State's Ginny Higginbotham made both of her 3-point attempts in the second.

Harding would rely on their 6-foot 4-inch Sage Hawley for many key moments in the second half, a half in which she scored 9 of her 11 points. The Lady Bisons outscored the Lady Statesmen 27-20 in the final two quarters to secure the 58-51 win.

Alanna Smith led Delta State in scoring with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Camryn Davis was the only other Lady Statesmen in double figures with 11 points and 3 rebounds. Michelle Smith had 6 points and 5 rebounds for DSU.

Up Next:
The Lady Statesmen return to Sillers Coliseum for a GSC meeting with Valdosta State on Saturday 11/26 at 5:30 pm.