The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team dropped another close game to St. Mary's (Md.) on Tuesday night, as the Chargers fell, 58-52. Just 17 days ago, Lancaster Bible lost 48-47 to the Seahawks, and Tuesday's loss sends the Chargers to 1-4 overall this season, while St. Mary's (Md.) improved to 3-5.
 
How it Happened: Both teams began the game slowly on offense, as Jordyn Beers had the first two buckets of the game for the Chargers, and gave the home team a 4-2 lead 2:46 into the contest. The Seahawks answered with a 7-0 run over the next 2:30, and led, 9-4 after two free throws from Caitlin Mays. Lancaster Bible battled over the final five minutes of the quarter, and after senior Lizzy Tilton's jumper with 35 seconds left, the Chargers trailed just 14-10 after 10 minutes of play.
 
The Chargers closed the gap to two early in the second frame, but a three-point play from Cameron Mangold gave the Seahawks a 19-12 advantage two minutes into the quarter. Lancaster Bible answered with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes, as Faith Hammond's jumper tied the score at 19-19. Unfortunately for the Chargers, it would prove to be their final basket of the half, and St. Mary's used a 7-0 run of their own to take a 26-19 lead at the break.
 
The teams exchanged baskets to open the third quarter, as St. Mary's took a 36-29 lead with 3:36 remaining in the frame on a free throw by Cassidy Kupchinskas. It was Lancaster Bible who closed the quarter on a scoring run this time however, and the Chargers got a triple from Tilton and two free throws from Tenia Brown to close the gap to 36-34 after 30 minutes of action.
 
Lancaster Bible's Adalyn Steiner gave the Chargers their first lead since the opening minutes with a three-point play 1:52 into the fourth quarter, but St. Mary's (Md.) answered right back and grabbed a 43-39 lead on a jumper from Emmey German. The Chargers answered again, as a jumper from Hope Hodges and free throw from Steiner knotted the game at 43-43 with 5:33 to play. German however drained another 3-pointer for the Seahawks, and St. Mary's (Md.) never trailed again, and pulled away from the Chargers down the stretch to earn the victory.
 
By the Numbers: Lancaster Bible shot 34.6 percent (18-of-52) from the field, but just 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from beyond the arc…The Chargers were also just 13-of-24 from the free throw line…St. Mary's (Md.) shot 38 percent (19-of-50) from the floor, including 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from 3-point range…The Seahawks were also 14-of-19 from the free throw line…Lancaster Bible held a 43-27 advantage in rebounds, including a 17-8 edge on the offensive glass…Jenna Dombach led the Chargers with 13 points, and also added four rebounds and three assists…Steiner added 10 points and six rebounds, while Brown had 10 points….Tilton chipped in with nine points and five assists, while Beers had six points and 11 boards…Emmey German had 15 points to lead all scorers.
 
The Coach Says: "We are continuing to learn how to execute in the face of pressure," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Joy Tharrington said. "It has been our Achilles' heel all season, and we have it fix it quickly. We need to keep learning to win close games, and that comes with experience, both for the players and myself."
 
On the team's play: "Our kids battled on the boards and they battled together," Tharrington said. "That is a big thing and will really help us in the future."
 
News & Notes: Lancaster Bible is now 0-2 all-time against St. Mary's (Md.)…The Seahawks defeated the Chargers, 48-47 on Feb. 6 in St. Mary's City, Md…Lancaster Bible was outscored by four in the first quarter on Tuesday, and is now being outscored 71-44 in the first quarter this season…The 13 made free throws were a season high for the Chargers…Lancaster Bible has 20 or more turnovers in four of its five contests this season.
 
Up Next: Lancaster Bible heads to Bryn Athyn for a weekend series, as the Chargers battle the Lions on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.