The Spalding University women's basketball team fell to Centre College, 52-48, Tuesday night at Derek Smith Gymnasium.

Kayla Styles and Brandy Hunter were the Golden Eagles top scorers with 11 points apiece. Jessica Guy led SU on the boards collecting 12 rebounds.  

The Golden Eagles led in many statistical categories, out rebounding the Colonels 43-38, passing out 10 assists to Centre's eight, and forced 17 C.C. turnovers while only committing 12. However, SU was only able to convert 25.8% of their field goal attempts while Centre shot 41%.

A Jessica Guy layup got SU on the board, but the Colonels scored the next five points to take a 5-2 lead. The Golden Eagles trailed until the 9:06 mark when Styles fueled a 5-0 run converting a layup and a three pointer to give SU a 19-15 lead with 7:36 to play in the half. SU stretched their lead to five points on a pair of Dee Dee Sliter free throws at 23-18, but the Colonels held Spalding to two points over the final five minutes of the half. Hannah Washle fouled Hartlage, who converted both free throws to give Centre a 27-25 edge at halftime.

Centre's Alexis Guy scored the first basket out of the half and the Colonels jumped out to a 33-27 lead. A Kayla Riggs three-pointer ignited an 8-0 Spalding run capped off by a pair of Hunter free throws giving SU a 35-33 lead with 15:33 to play. The Colonels responded with a 9-3 run taking a six point lead on a Paige Kellam jump shot at the 7:49 mark.  SU battled back, cutting Centre's lead to one on a Styles layup with 1:14 remaining. Alexis Guy hit both free throw attempts on the ensuing possession to push Centre's lead to three giving SU the ball with 25 seconds to go, but a Sliter turnover and Hartlage free throw sealed the game for the Colonels.

Hartlage led Centre with a game-high 15 points, and Michele Judy recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Up next, the Golden Eagles will open conference play when they travel to Greenville College. SU will take on the Panthers Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. EST.