COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Harding Lady Bisons' season came to an end Wednesday night in the NCAA Division II national semifinals.
The Lady Bisons (31-4) battled No. 1 seed and undefeated Ashland (36-0), before losing 90-77
Ashland (36-0) advances to meet Virginia Union on Friday for the national championship.
Harding won the Great American Conference regular season title, the GAC Tournament championship, the program's first Central Region title, and first game in the Elite Eight.
The Lady Bisonss shot 65 percent in the first quarter, hitting 11-of-17 shots, and trailed only 27-23 entering the second quarter.
A free throw by Caroline Hogue with 4:45 left in the second quarter cut Ashland's lead to 36-32. Over the next 3:29, Ashland outscored Harding 17-1 and pulled out to a 53-33 lead on Maddie Dackin's 3-pointer with 1:16 left. It was Ashland's fifth 3-pointer of the quarter.
Ashland's lead grew to as many as 28 points in the third quarter, but Harding's defense stiffened in the fourth and the Lady Bisons were able to claw back to within 13 points twice.
Harding outscored Ashland 52-36 in the paint, thanks in large part to the work of sophomore Caroline Hogue.
In 28 minutes, Hogue scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Senior A'ndi Haney, scored 13 points and added eight assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Sophomores Riley Rose and Sydnie Jones had 10 points each. Laina Snyder led Ashland with 25 points and eight rebounds. Andi Daugherty had 23 points.