Harper women put scare into No. 1 Wolfpack before falling
The Harper College women's basketball team was riding a two-game home winning streak in the North Central Community College Conference when the Hawks hosted Madison Area Technical College - the No. 1-ranked school in NJCAA Division III - at the Sports and Wellness Center on Saturday.
Despite a solid start, the Hawks dropped a 59-53 decision to the Wolfpack.
The Hawks (12-8, 3-3) had jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first 4:10 of the contest.
But the Wolfpack (18-2, 6-0) cut the deficit to 2 points, capitalizing when preseason All-American and Lake Zurich graduate Peggie Parhas picked up her third foul with just over two minutes left in the first half and left the game. The Hawks were able to take a 29-24 lead into the break, holding the Wolfpack's leading scorer and Detroit transfer Gabbi Hartfold (11 points) to 4 in the first half.
The Wolfpack came on strong after intermission and built a 14-point lead.
"Playing the No. 1 team in the nation, you knew they where going to make a comeback," said Hawks coach Mark Smith. "We were a little tired, But to our credit we did put on a little comeback."
Parhas led the hawks with 19 points, and Conant grad Noreen Davis added 16.