Box Score MEMPHIS-After squandering a nine-point first-half lead, the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs trimmed a 13-point second-half deficit to three points before losing to Harding 64-61 Tuesday night at Canale Arena.

The Lady Bucs (3-2) went on a 6-0 burst early in the game to take the lead, a lead they built to 23-14 on a Taylor Pugh (Memphis, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian HS) layup with 9:29 remaining in the first half. Harding (5-0) closed the half on a 19-4 run to take a 38-31 lead at halftime.

A 12-4 run lifted the Lady Bisons to a 54-41 lead with 14:35 remaining on a Kristen Celsor triple. But the Lady Bucs answered with a 12-3 run of their own, pulling within a 57-53 margin on a Pugh bucket with 8:01 remaining. The Lady Bucs would come no closer, however, until an Erin Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./Overton HS) free throw at the end of the game set the final margin at 64-61.

Pugh scored a team-high 15 for the Lady Bucs, adding five rebounds. Breanna Ridgell (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) scored 14. Samantha Reeves (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy) scored 12, and Ashley Schaefer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) added 11. Ashley Winston (Arlington, Tenn./Bolton HS) dished out a career-high seven assists.

Celsor scored a game-high 16 points with four steals for Harding. Shana Holmes scored 14, and Montana Lewis added 12.

The Lady Bucs shot 52.1 percent (25-of-48) from the floor to Harding's 50 percent (26-of-52). Each team grabbed 26 rebounds, with Harding holding a 10-6 edge in offensive boards, and they forced 21 CBU turnovers while committing 19.

The Lady Bucs return to action Monday night at 6 p.m. as they host LeMoyne-Owen.