SUNY Morrisville 56, Lancaster Bible 52
 
SUNY Morrisville Starters
Colone-Microni, Vieira, Walker, Hammersley, & Becker
 
LBC Starters
Sydney Heller, Alaysha Iwais, Adalyn Steiner, Jade Eshelman & Jenna Dombach
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team dropped a highly contested battle with SUNY Morrisville by a score of 56-52 on Friday, January 28.
 
The Chargers (8-10 Overall, 5-4 United East) got on the scoreboard first, with Alaysha Iwais knocking down a jump shot in transition. Adalyn Steiner finished a layup, to put LBC ahead 4-0. Leading 4-2, Lizzy Tilton finished a layup to extend the lead back to four. SUNY Morrisville (10-6 Overall, 6-2 United East) battled back, tying the game at seven. Emma Drouillard put the Chargers back in front, swishing a 3-pointer. The Mustangs pulled back within one point, but LBC held a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
SUNY Morrisville opened the second half by knocking down a 3-pointer to take their first lead of the game. Sydney Heller immediately answered back, drilling her first 3-pointer of the game. The teams would trade the lead back-and-forth with Jade Eshelman hitting a layup to give LBC a 16-15 lead. The Mustangs answered back, going on a 5-0 run to take a 20-16 lead. Steiner halted the run, scoring a layup in the paint just before the shot clock expired to cut the deficit down to two. SUNY Morrisville continued their sharp shooting from beyond the arc, taking a 26-20 lead. Tilton cut into the deficit, drilling a 3-pointer of her own to pull LBC back within three points. Trailing by four, Drouillard hit a layup to make it 27-25 going into the half.
 
The Mustangs stretched their advantage early in the third quarter, grabbing a five-point lead. LBC started their rally back, with Drouillard hitting a 3-pointer. Tilton then connected on her second 3-pointer of the game, putting the Chargers ahead 34-32. The Mustangs responded using a 7-1 run to retake the lead. Mikayla Via cut into the deficit, drilling a 3-pointer to bring the Chargers within one point. SUNY Morrisville converted a layup just before the buzzer, taking a 41-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Via opened the scoring in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to tie the game at 41. Jenna Dombach put the Chargers in front, knocking down a transition 3-pointer to put LBC ahead 44-41. After two free throws by Steiner, Iwais raced down the floor for a transition layup giving the Chargers a five-point lead. The Mustangs fought back, using an 11-0 run to recapture a six-point lead. LBC made a final push, closing within three-points, but the Chargers fell 56-52.
 
Inside The Numbers
- Lizzy Tilton led the Chargers in scoring, totaling 10 points on 2-3 shooting from beyond the arc
- Alaysha Iwais posted six points and led the team in rebounds, gathering in 12 boards
- Sydney Heller and Emma Drouillard each added eight points
- SUNY Morrisville was led by Cara Walker who scored 15 points
- The Chargers won the battle on the glass, holding a 48-40 edge in rebounds
 
Coaching Points
"I thought we competed well overall but struggled to hit shots offensively and get key stops and rebounds when it mattered most tonight," said head coach Joy Tharrington. "I am grateful we have a quick turnaround tomorrow and I view it as an opportunity to see how mentally tough we are coming off of a difficult loss." 
 
Who's Next
The women's basketball team will have a quick turnaround, taking on Wells on Saturday, January 29 with a start time of 3:00 p.m.
 
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