Box Score PALATINE, IL-  For the second straight game, the Harper College women's basketball team had a strong second half but lost in the end.  On Tuesday, the Hawks were defeated by the Kishwaukee Kougars 53-37.

The Hawks started out strongly in the first quarter, taking a quick 7-2 lead on two baskets from Kaela Drum and a three-pointer by Carrie Kerlin.  However, the Kougars would go on to score the next 8 points and the Hawks found themselves down 12-10 at the end of the first buzzer.  As was the case last week, the second quarter doomed the Hawks as they were only able to score 5 points.  Heading into the half, the Hawks were still hanging close, trailing Kishwaukee 25-15.  Harper struggled from the floor, shooting 24% and missed all four free throws.

After the break, four of the five Hawks' starters scored in the third quarter and outscored the Kougars 11-10.  Heading into the final quarter with a 9 point lead, Kishwaukee chose to slow down the pace preventing the Hawks from getting into an offensive groove.  At the final buzzer, the Hawks fell 53-37.  For the game, the Hawks shot 27% marking their second straight game shooting below 30%.  Kishwaukee also crashed the offensive glass, totaling 18 offensive rebounds to Harper's 7.

Freshman Kaela Drum notched another double-digit scoring performance, leading the team with 12 points and 9 rebounds.  Maggie O'Donnell finished with 11 points and Carrie Kerlin chipped in 7.

The Hawks (2-7) will host Elgin Community College on Thursday at Robert Morris at 5:30pm.  Robert Morris University (2121 Goebbert Rd.) in Arlington Heights will be the Hawks' home court for the remainder of the 2017-2018 season.