WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Junior Sara Tarbert totaled a career-high 34 points and 20 rebounds, but it was not enough as the Stevenson women's basketball team fell, 69 - 61 versus Lycoming at Lamade Gymnasium on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Mustangs.
Tarbert, who scored her 1000th career point in Wednesday's game versus Messiah, totaled her second 30-point performance at Stevenson (3-3, 1-1 MAC Commonwealth), ranking her second in school history for points in a game. Tanisha Foster currently holds the record at 35 points in a single game. Tarbert's performance also tied her for fourth in program history with 20 rebounds in a game. The current leader in rebounds is Nancy Zentz with 24.
Tarbert connected on her first three shots of the game to lead the Mustangs to an early 9-1 lead, but Lycoming (5-3, 2-0 MAC Commonwealth) responded with a 14-3 run to take a 17-12 lead after one quarter In the first quarter, the Warriors were 8-15 from the floor.
A free throw by senior Brittney Page and a layup from sophomore Kaitlyn VanTash halted the Lycoming run to start the second quarter. Senior Stephanie Martinez sunk a jumper from the elbow to tie the game at 17 53 seconds into the period.
After the hosts took a 28-21 lead with just over three minutes to go in the second, Martinez hit a three-pointer and sparked a 9-2 Mustang run to finish the half. Tarbert and Van Tash recorded blocks, while freshman Armani Duckett-Mooney picked up a steal and finish on the other end. The teams entered the half tied at 30.
After the teams exchanged baskets to start the second half, the Warriors took a 42-34 lead before a basket by sophomore Imani Sanders and another steal and layup by Duckett-Mooney cut Stevenson's deficit to four, 42-38.
In the final four minutes of the third quarter, Lycoming only missed three shots as they went on a 12-5 run and extended their lead. The Mustangs trailed 54-43 to begin the final quarter.
Just over two minutes into the fourth, the Warriors pushed their lead to 16 after back-to-back buckets from Olivia Mange. Tarbert totaled 12 points in the final frame as Stevenson chipped away at the lead. With 17 seconds left in regulation, the Mustangs cut the lead to five on a shot from Martinez in the paint, but that was as close as they would get.
The Warriors shot 44.4 percent from the floor, while holding Stevenson to just 30.4 percent.
Martinez joined Tarbert in double figures with 11 points while totaling five assists.
The Mustangs return to action Saturday, December 12 when they travel to MAC Commonwealth opponenet, Widener. Game time is 1 p.m.