CANYON, Texas — Sage Hawley scored 30 points, shooting 13-of-16 from the field, to lead Harding women’s basketball to a 75-69 victory over Adams State at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic on Saturday.
Hawley’s dominant performance, her fourth career 30-point game, helped Harding overcome a 10-point deficit in the second quarter. Rory Geer added 14 points, including crucial free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Josie Williams chipped in with 10 points and three assists.
Kiiyani Anitielu led Adams State with 22 points.
Harding (1-0) dominated the boards with a 42-25 rebound advantage and capitalized on free throws, making 25 of 31 attempts. Adams State (1-1) managed 22 points off turnovers.
The game marked the first-ever meeting between Harding, a member of the Great American Conference, and Adams State, located in Alamosa, Colorado, and a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The victory also signified Harding’s first win in a season opener since 2019.
The matchup saw 13 lead changes and seven ties. Harding’s largest lead was 12 points with just under four minutes left in the game.
Harding continues play at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic on Sunday at 4 p.m. against Classic host West Texas A&M, who lost 57-55 to Black Hills State on Friday.
