SAN ANGELO – The Belles tipped off inside the friendly confines of the Junell Center for the first time this season, scoring a season-high 75 points; however, a strong third quarter from visitors Harding saw them claim victory over the Belles, 83-75.

The Belles shot 42.2 percent from the floor for the game, the best mark this season; they also out-rebounded the Lady Bisons 43-37; however, a 38-18 free throw discrepancy in favor of the Lady Bisons proved to be the difference, with multiple Belles dealing with foul trouble for much of the contest.

Blakely Gerber led all players with 23 points; the Wayland Baptist transfer shot 6-10 from the floor and was perfect on 11 attempts at the free-throw line, also grabbing six offensive rebounds. Entering today's game, Gerber had only scored 13 points over the first four games of the season.

Payton Brown was back in double-digits scoring for the first time since the opening weekend with 16 points as she did not leave the court for the Belles tonight. She hit a pair of threes and assisted a team-high three times.

Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant was a rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Amarillo native also recorded two steals in 35 minutes of play.

Madeline Stephens and Madisen Honea scored eight points each, with Stephens grabbing seven rebounds and Honea hitting a pair of threes in 29 minutes.

The Belles close out their weekend tomorrow evening with a matchup against Arkansas Tech.