SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Shenandoah University fell just short in its women's basketball game Saturday night, falling 70-65 to Immaculata in the opening round of the Swarthmore Tournament.

Trailing by as many as 11 points midway through the second half, Shenandoah (1-1) rallied to cut the deficit to just one, 63-62, following a Stephanie Holton layup with 36 seconds remaining.

Chrissy Esbensen hit four consecutive free throws to extend the lead back out to five points for Immaculata (2-0), but SU had one last rally in itself.

Junior Mandy Johnston, who had 17 points, brought it back to a one possession game by hitting her game-high third 3-pointer at the 16-second mark.

Esbensen then missed one of two from the line on the Mighty Macs next trip down the floor, and the Hornets had a chance to tie the ballgame.

Unfortunately for the Shenandoah faithful, a Crystal Williams 3-point attempt missed the mark with three seconds remaining and Immaculata was able to hold on for the victory.

The loss sends SU into Sunday's 1:30 consolation game against Misericordia. Host Swarthmore topped the Cougars 49-45 in the opening game of the tourney.

Shenandoah had taken a 23-22 lead into the halftime lockerroom on the strength of 10 points from freshman Sam Akers, but a 15-4 Immac run to start the second half gave the Mighty Macs a lead they would not relinquish.

Akers led the Hornets with 18 points, Johnston added 17 and sophomores Haley Smith and Nicole Gilbertson both had six points and nine rebounds.

Immac outshot SU, 43.6 percent to 36 percent and held a 45-40 advantage on the glass.