Greenwood, S.C – Despite a career effort from junior Taylor Hair, No. 9 Anderson University women's basketball team dropped its first contest of the season, 77-70, against Peach Belt Conference member Lander on Tuesday evening at Finis Horne Arena.
With the loss, the Trojans slip to 4-1 overall, while the Bearcats improve to 3-1 overall.
Hair recorded her first double-double on the season scoring a career high 22 points and tying her career best rebound total with 10. The native of Orlando, Fla. drained 4-of-4 three-point baskets while shooting 9-of-11 from the floor. Senior Alexy Mollenhauer scored 17 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Junior Alexis Tate tied a career high with 11 points while senior Madison Baggett chipped in 10 points and recorded four assists. Freshman Makenzie Gadson ripped down eight rebounds for the second time this season.
Anderson won the opening quarter 16-11 with Hair notching eight of the Black and Gold's total. Lander narrowly won the second stanza 27-24 with the difference being the third frame where the Bearcats outscored Anderson 24-14 building an eight point lead heading into the fourth period.
Anderson cut the lead to three with just under two minutes to play on a made three-point basket by Mollenhauer. Mollenhauer's basket would be the final points the Trojans would post with Lander securing the win with a layup and 2-of-4 made free throws.
"Tough loss to great team tonight," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "Winning on the road is always hard to do. I thought we learned a lot about our team tonight which will greatly benefit us down the road."
Anderson will remain on the road to open up South Atlantic Conference play when it travels to Queens on Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.
