Susquehanna 64, Lancaster Bible 55
 
Susquehanna Starters
McQuillen, Lemire, Schwabe, Brandt & Lynch
 
LBC Starters
Alaysha Iwais, Lizzy Tilton, Emma Drouillard, Jade Eshelman & Jenna Dombach
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team could not hold off Susquehanna University, falling 64-55 on Wednesday, December 8.
 
The Chargers (4-5 Overall, 2-0 United East) got off to a slow start, falling in an early 7-2 hole. Lizzy Tilton jump started the offense, knocking down a jump shot. Moments later, Sydney Heller gathered up an offensive rebound and finished a layup to pull the Chargers back within a single point. Susquehanna (6-2 Overall, 0-1 Landmark) responded, closing the quarter on a 12-2 run taking an 11-point advantage into the second quarter.
 
LBC began to find their moment in the second quarter, when off a steal Alaysha Iwais scored a layup in transition, drawing a foul in the process to earn a three-point play. Jade Eshelman scored back-to-back layups to pull LBC back within four points. After Jenna Dombach swished a jump shot, Iwais connected on a jumper to cap off an 11-0 run and tie the game at 19. Susquehanna's Olivia Brandt drained a jumper to retake the lead. Brandt led the Riverhawk's with 22 points. Heller answered right back, connecting from beyond the arc to give LBC their first lead of the game with 4:36 remaining in the half. Emma Drouillard extended the lead by hitting a 3-pointer of her own, to put the Chargers up 25-21. Susquehanna battled back, tying the game at 25 with just under a minute remaining. Tilton closed the half by drilling a jump shot to put LBC ahead 27-25 at the break.
 
The teams traded the lead early in the third quarter, with Susquehanna connecting on a pair of 3-pointers to take a 33-29 lead. Dombach halted the run by gathering an offensive rebound and converting a layup. Drouillard put the Chargers ahead swishing a 3-pointer. Iwais added another 3-pointer, giving LBC a 37-33 advantage with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter. The Riverhawks rallied back to tie the game at 37 before the Chargers ripped off a 9-1 run powered by 3-pointers form Tilton and Adalyn Steiner to take an eight-point lead. LBC led by as many as nine points, but Susquehanna closed the quarter on a 4-0 run, to trail 50-45 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Susquehanna continued their run in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 50 with 8:34 remaining in the game. Tilton and Iwais scored to help the Chargers retake a four-point advantage. Susquehanna, sparked by back-to-back baskets by Erin McQuillen, would go on a 9-0 run to seize control of the game. The Chargers offense could not find an answer, with LBC falling 64-55.
 
Inside The Numbers
- Alaysha Iwais led the Chargers' offense, scoring 12 points while gathering in four rebounds
- Lizzy Tilton reached double figures, scoring 12 points and connecting on a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter. Tilton also collected six rebounds
- Jade Eshelman led LBC in rebounds, gathering 11 boards
- Jenna Dombach scored nine points while leading the team with four assists
- The Riverhawks were led by Olivia Brandt who score 22 points
- Susquehanna won the rebounding battle, holding a 47-36 advantage on the glass
 
Coaching Points
"For three quarters I thought we competed and executed well," said head coach Joy Tharrington. "During the fourth quarter, especially the last 6 minutes, Susquehanna did a great job capitalizing on our poor offensive execution and defensive breakdowns. It is no surprise that Susquehanna, being the well-coached team that they are, had their biggest run at the most crucial point in the game. We will learn from the mistakes we made down the stretch and hopefully put the lessons into action next Saturday at Bryn Athyn."

Who's Next
The women's basketball team will travel to face Bryn Athyn in a nonconference matchup on Saturday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m.
 
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