Laurel hung in against a physical Beaver Falls team but eventually dropped the Section 2-AA matchup at home.

The Lady Spartans (1-2, 4-4) pulled within six points with 2:30 left but the Lady Tigers (2-0, 5-3) made enough free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Beaver Falls was just 12 of 34 from the foul line, compared to 20 of 32 for Laurel.

The Lady Tigers built a 23-8 lead after one quarter and maintained a 33-19 buffer at the break. Laurel outscored Beaver Falls in the third quarter, 11-6.

“I can’t fault our girls at all. My girls played their hearts out,” Lady Spartans coach Jessica Shevitz said. “I was impressed. The girls held their own.”

Marisa Wallas led the way for Laurel with 15 points, including 10 in the second half. Aislinn Deinert chipped in with nine markers, seven rebounds and five blocks. Brooke Dicks tossed in eight points.

Alexis Lake notched a team-high 19 points for Beaver Falls.