ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - A 9-0 run early in the third quarter provided enough cushion, and the Union College women's basketball team held off Bard College, 54-43, in a Liberty League game on Friday night.

Bard led 15-10 after one quarter, but the Dutchwomen (10-3, 5-1 Liberty League) outscored Bard 19-10 in the second quarter to build a 29-25 halftime lead.

It was 33-28 when the Raptors (5-9, 0-5) went cold, going without a point for just over five minutes. Union led by 14 when the 9-0 run was over, and the deficit was 11 after three quarters.

Scrappy Bard fought back valiantly in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to seven twice, but the Raptors could get no closer. Union, which entered the weekend with the top scoring defense in the league, held Bard to 18 second-half points.

Abby Katz (Andover, MA) led Union with 11 points and seven rebounds. Amy Fisher (Singapore), Sophie Borg (Farmington, CT) and Natalie Leone (Ashland, MA) added eight points apiece.

Bard got 21 points and 14 rebounds from Tytravia Riley; Bianka Bell added 16 points and six rebounds. Bell has 993 career points and has a shot at reaching the 1,000-point milestone on Saturday against Skidmore. Tip is at 2. Follow it live right here.