PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College women's basketball team fell just short in its 2014-15 season opener at the Wellness & Sports Center, losing 53-43 to visiting Elgin Community College.

The Hawks (0-1) trailed for most of the first half despite the strong play of Joslyn Nicholson (/Cary-Grove), who had 10 points and five rebounds in the half. Harper drew even with Elgin (1-1) at 21-21 with 2:12 to play on a pair of Kim Herzog (/Buffalo Grove) free throws, and Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) put the Hawks ahead 24-21 at halftime with a 3-pointer late in the half.

Harper came out strong in the second half, as Ashonte Sims (/Normal Community West) scored six of the Hawks' first eight points in the half to extend the lead to 32-24, their biggest of the night. However, Harper went cold from the floor, and the Spartans used a 13-3 to take a 37-35 lead with 7:05 to play on a Porsche Criggs (team-high 15 points) 3-point play.

Nicholson tied the game with a basket just 10 seconds later, but Elgin's Becky Domoulin answered with a 3-pointer on the next possession to make it 40-37. Criggs had a crucial offensive rebound and put back basket, and she had another put back to make it 48-43. The Hawks were outscored 16-6 in the game's final 6:55.

Nicholson led the way for Harper with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Sims scored nine points, and Nastia Solsaa (/Menomonie ) added seven. Herzog dished out a game-high seven assists.

The Hawks play their first road game of the season at College of Lake County on Thursday at 5 PM.