SEARCY, Ark. - The Ouachita Lady Tigers fell to 2-6 in the Great American Conference on Saturday, losing 71-53 to the Harding University Lady Bisons in Searcy, Ark.

Katie Kapler gave Ouachita (5-9, 2-6 GAC) the first lead of the game on a layup 18 seconds into the first period. Harding (9-3, 7-1 GAC) took a 3-2 lead just over a minute later, but the Lady Tigers took the lead once again on a 10-2 run late in the first quarter. The run gave Ouachita a 14-10 lead before the Lady Bisons scored on three consecutive layups to end the first quarter with a 16-14 lead.

Halley Hill tied the game on Ouachita's first possession of the second quarter, but Harding gained the lead on its next possession and held the lead until halftime. Taylor Bowles sparked a 7-0 run for Ouachita with a three-pointer midway through the period, but the Lady Bisons ended the run and held a 36-31 lead at the half.

The Lady Tigers were 40.7 percent from the field in the half, with Kapler scoring a team-high 10 points. Bowles followed with six points on 2-2 shooting from deep, and Breanna Harris recorded a game-high five assists.

Harding grabbed its first double-digit lead on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter, giving the Lady Bisons a 45-31 lead. The Lady Tigers immediately responded, however, with a 7-0 run of their own that started with a three-pointer by Katherine West. After 4:28 of back-and-forth play, the third period ended with Harding ahead 54-42.

In the final quarter of play, Ouachita pulled within nine on a three-pointer from Bullard with 6:46 to go, but the Lady Bisons netted a three less than a minute later to take a 61-49 lead. Harding then held a lead of at least 12 for the final six minutes of play.

For the game, Ouachita posted a field-goal percentage of just 34.6 percent, while Harding netted 44.3 percent of its shots. The Lady Tigers were 11-12 from the free-throw line in the contest.

Kapler led Ouachita with 18 points, including 6-6 shooting from the charity stripe, to go along with five rebounds. Bullard led the Lady Tigers with nine boards, and Harris finished with a team-high five assists.

Ouachita will return to conference action on Monday, Jan. 18, as the Lady Tigers travel across the street to take on Henderson State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.