NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Led by freshman Kelsea Lyda, the Harding Lady Bisons downed the Lipscomb University Lady Bisons, 69-62 in Harding's third exhibition game of the season. Lyda made six three-pointers, which would have ranked fourth in Harding's records in a regular season game. Harding's victory over the NCAA Division I opponent was the first meeting between the two schools.
Harding's outside shooting was key yet again as it made 13 three-pointers, shooting a phenomenal 45 percent from behind the arc. Harding's top three scorers in the game came off the bench with Lyda leading the way with 18 points, Catherine McMenamy following with 16, and freshman Kaitlin May adding nine points and seven assists.
With 2:02 left in the game, May scored her first points on a three-pointer to give Harding a 61-58 lead. Less than a minute later, a McMenamy layup moved Harding ahead by five. May then sealed the victory by hitting 6-of-6 from the foul line in the game's final 24 seconds.
The HU Lady Bisons shot 38 percent from the field and 88 percent (14-of-16) from the foul line, while holding Lipscomb to 31 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. HU was out-rebounded 41 to 37 but had two players,May and Jacque Fredendall, with nine rebounds each.
Catie Woods led Lipscomb with 16 points while teammate Penny Jones pulled down a game-high 12 boards.
Harding kicks off regular season competition the weekend of Nov. 17-18 at the Ouachita Baptist Classic in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Lady Bisons will face North Alabama on the 17th at 5:00 p.m. and West Alabama on the 18th at 3:00 p.m.