Box Score

A three-point chance to win missed as the Albright College women's basketball team was eliminated from Commonwealth Conference playoff contention with a 45-43 loss to Lycoming, Tuesday in the Bollman Center.

Down by nine with just over three minutes remaining, Kelecia Harris chased down an offensive board and Kristi McFadden completed a three-point play. Jessica Venturelli added a three-pointer with 2:42 remaining to make it a one-possession game at 42-39.

Julia Antonelli hit a jumper with 1:30 left to put Lycoming ahead 44-39. Boyle completed a tough post move and then scored again with 31 seconds left to cut the deficit to 44-43, after Ali Derr had been called for an illegal screen. Antonelli made one of two free throws, but a McFadden three-pointer didn't go and time expired.

Boyle finished with a  team-high 13 points and eight rebounds. Venturelli had nine points and seven assists, with Harris adding eight points and 10 boards.

The game was tied 21-21 after a first half in which the teams shot a combined 28.9% (13-of-45) and went 3-of-15 from downtown. The Lions did grab eight offensive rebounds in the period, from five different players.

Albright was down 4-0 to start, and Venturelli soon fed Boyle to tie the game at 4-4. Harris and Boyle added baskets in the post, both off nice feeds from Venturelli, as the Lions trailed 10-9.

Janelle Ziminski hit an open three as part of a Lycoming run that put the Warriors on top 17-9. Albright answered with eight straight, off triples from Shannon Thomas and Amanda Tiritilli and a pair of Venurelli free throws.

Thomas' jumper gave Albright a 24-21 lead early in the second half, but Nicole Calella scored on the break to put Lycoming ahead 29-26. Venturelli's baseline jumper had the Lions back on top by a point, 30-29.

With the loss, Albright (13-11, 7-10) falls two games behind Lycoming (11-12, 9-8) for the fifth and final playoff place in the Commonwealth Conference.

Albright hosts Elizabethtown on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Lions will celebrate Senior Day, and recognize departing players Boyle, McFadden and Shawn Barczynski.