VIDEO: Mansfield Girls' Basketball vs. Dartmouth Goes Down to the Wire

Through three quarters of play, neither Dartmouth or Mansfield could find an long lasting lead in their opening round game of the Mansfield Roundball Classic. In each quarter, there was always one player either keeping one team in the game or preventing the other from taking a large lead. Despite a strong performance, the Hornets were edged out by Dartmouth 54-52.

A strong first half by the Hornets was led by their ability to hit six of their nine first half field goals from beyond the 3 point line. Erin Glavin's eight point first quarter kept Mansfield to within one of Dartmouth after a quarter and a pair of three pointers from Gina Stoyle made sure things were even at 26-25 at the break.

The Indians were able to gain a smal advantage after taking a three point lead at the end of the third quarter. With a pair of baskets and a three from Ally Pontes, Dartmouth was able to get a slight edge in a game where no lead was safe.

With 2:39 left to play, Jaime Maher sixth point of the quarter off a layup gave the Hornets a 49-47 lead. Seconds later, the Indians cut the lead in half when Lauren Pires went 1-2 from the free throw line. Pires would strike again with a shot from the pain to give Dartmouth a 50-49 lead with less than 90 seconds in the game.

Refusing to quit, a spin move from Maher to the basket made it a 52-51 game in favor of Dartmouth. With under 19 seconds to play, Glavin was sent to the line to either tie or give Mansfield the lead. A free throw from Glavin tied the game up but Dartmouth responded with 2 made shots from the charity stripe by Pires with a little over eight seconds left.

With one more chance to tie or win the game, the Indians were able to prevent the Hornets from taking a shot as Mansfield fell in tightly contested game.

Mansfield will play in the consolation game of the Roundball Classic on February 20.