SEARCY, Ark. – The Lady Bulldogs lost for the second time in three games after a 77-69 defeat at the hands of Harding on Saturday.

The Lady Bisons currently sit second in the conference standings, now with an 8-4 league record following their win. SWOSU still sits atop the standings even after today’s loss, now with a 9-2 record.

In a game where both teams looked similar on the final stat sheet, it appeared free throws proved to be one of the difference makers. SWOSU shot just 7-of-17 (41%) from the charity stripe, while Harding finished at 21-of-31 (68%).

Makyra Tramble scored 29 points in the game, tying her second highest total of the season. She gave the Dawgs a lift offensively, after the other four starters combined to shoot just 35% collectively. Lauren Ramey was SWOSU’s other double-digit scorer, finishing with 13.

After being down three points at halftime, SWOSU trailed 47-37 with 6:31 left to play in the third quarter before digging in and starting a run of their own. Multiple baskets by Tramble, Ramey, and Morgan Smith had created a 12-0 run for the Dawgs, and with 1:24 remaining in the quarter SWOSU had a lead.

Harding quickly regained control though and led by one point at the end of the third quarter.

Tramble scored the first points to start the fourth quarter, giving SWOSU back the lead, but it would end up being the final time the Dawgs would be ahead. Harding rattled off an 8-0 spurt immediately after and SWOSU could never climb all the way back from there. Any burst by the Lady Bulldogs was always eventually answered by the Lady Bisons to kill any momentum.

SWOSU returns home next week after being on the road for the past two weeks. They will take on Southern Arkansas on Thursday and Arkansas Monticello on Saturday.