The third quarter spelled doom for the host Lady Lancers in a WPIAL Section 2-AA loss to Beaver Falls.

Neshannock (4-8, 8-14) led 26-25 at the half, but was outscored 21-11 in the third quarter.

“We turned it over three straight times and they went on a 6-0 run,” Lady Lancers coach Luann Grybowski said of the third period. “I called timeout and we committed some fouls and it just turned right then.

“I think it was a combination of Beaver Falls’ offensive rebounds and our turnovers.”

Neshannock committed 25 turnovers to just 10 for the Lady Tigers. But ball security was a key for the Lady Lancers in building the halftime advantage.

“We really didn’t turn the ball over in the second quarter and that was a key for us,” Grybowski said.

Beaver Falls (9-3, 13-9) routed Neshannock, 70-30, just nine days prior to Saturday’s matchup. The Lady Lancers turned the ball over 40 times in that loss.

“I think we played a little better defensively in this game,” Grybowski said. “We didn’t give up a whole lot in transition.

“I have to give the kids credit. We had nothing to play for. They played hard and for the most part they did a good job.”

Marissa DeMatteo netted a team-high 16 points with five assists and three steals for Neshannock. DeMatteo posted nine of her points in the second quarter.

Alexandra Fischer was next with 13 points for the Lady Lancers. Tayler Grybowski chipped in with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Alexis Lake tossed in a game-best 20 points for the Lady Tigers.

Nine of Neshannock’s 11 players are freshmen, one is a sophomore and one is a junior. The Lady Lancers capped the year on a four-game losing streak.

“I saw some good things throughout the year from the girls,” said Grybowski, who is home for the playoffs for the first time since the 2000-2001 season when she coached at New Castle. “Losing is not easy to take, especially with this group. These girls are so used to winning.

“We started the year 0-4 and we ended the year 0-4. That’s tough. I didn’t think we would end up that way.”

Beaver Falls clinched second place in the section, pushing Mohawk (8-4, 17-5) to third place.

The WPIAL playoff pairings will be announced tomorrow at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Green Tree.