PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College women's basketball team appeared primed to pick up their first N4C victory on Saturday afternoon against College of DuPage. The Hawks led 33-21 at halftime and nursed a 43-37 lead with 6:49 remaining in the game.

But the Chaparrals came back in the latter stages of the fourth quarter (8-8, 1-3 N4C) and knocked down three free throws in the closing minute of the game to hold on for a 55-53 win over the host Hawks (4-14, 0-3 N4C).

Things looked promising for Harper in the early going as sophomore guards Kim Herzog (/Buffalo Grove) and Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) scored six points apiece to give the team a 21-14 lead after one. The Hawks turned it up on the defensive end in the second quarter, limiting DuPage to just seven points on 1-of-11 shooting.  Lexi Zades (/Conant) paced Harper with nine points on 3-of-3 shooting in the half.

The Chaparrals outscored the Hawks 16-8 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to just 41-37. They took their first lead since the first quarter on an Elinor Cycenas jumper to put them ahead 48-47 with 2:57 remaining. Cycenas scored another key basket to put DuPage up 52-49, but Winkler and Zades hit 3-of-4 free throws to tie the game at 52-52 with 1:09 left.

In the closing minute, the Chaparrals hit 3-of-6 free throws, but it was enough because only managed one shot attempt. Ashonte Sims (Bloomington, Ill. /Normal Community West) split a pair of free throws for Harper's only point in the final minute. The game ended on a Hawks turnover, one of 19 team turnovers.

Zades scored a team-high 13 points for the Hawks. Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) had nine points and ten rebounds. For College of DuPage, Jamie McInerey led the team in scoring with 13 points.

Harper will look to get back on track Wednesday evening against another N4C foe, Joliet Junior College (10-8, 1-2 N4C). Tipoff is slated for 5 PM in the Wellness & Sports Center.