Morrisville State women drop close decision to Lancaster, 56-49

The Morrisville State College women's basketball team battled back from a 16 point halftime deficit, but fell short as host Lancaster Bible College collected the 56-49 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) victory Saturday afternoon in Lancaster.



Morrisville State drops to 2-10 overall, 1-4 in conference play, while Lancaster improves to 5-6, 5-2 in NEAC action.



Three netted double figures for the Mustangs, as Jennel Paul (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Nijah Townsend (Bronx, N.Y.) and Tierra Hollins-Hill (Bronx, N.Y.) each tallied 12 points. Townsend added eight rebounds, and Dyshea Smiley (Harlem, N.Y.) dished out five assists.



Lauren Heliger led the Chargers with 18 points, collecting seven rebounds and dishing out a game high nine assists, while teammate Brooklyn Wilson had 14, assisting four in the win.



Lancaster posted a 33-17 halftime lead as the Mustangs struggled from the floor in the first half, hitting a mere 18.5 percent of shots, while the Chargers went 12-of-25 (48 percent).



In the second, the Chargers built up a 23 point lead before Morrisville State put together a comeback attempt on a 22-4 run to cut the lead to five with just under eight to go.



With 2:06 remaining, Nijee Scott (Bronx, N.Y.) hit a three to cut the lead to two for Morrisville State, but Brittney Becker hit a jumper to regain the four point advantage with 1:48 to go, and Heliger added three free throws with under a minute remaining to seal the victory for the Chargers.



Morrisville State returns to the court tomorrow, playing at Wilson College. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.