The Lancers closed the game with an 11-3 run to earn the Section 2-AA victory over the host Spartans.

“The momentum changed numerous times,” Neshannock coach John Corey said. “I don’t think the game was tilted completely in one team’s favor the entire night.”

Neshannock (6-1, 11-2) grabbed an 18-14 lead after one quarter and extended its lead to 35-29 at the break before Laurel (3-4, 7-6) clawed back into the game in the second half.

The Spartans, who saw their five-game winning streak come to a halt, had eight of their 11 missed free throws in the first half.

“Free throws killed us in the first half,” Laurel coach Ken Locke said. “We left a lot of points on the floor.”

Noah Wertz nailed three 3-pointers in the third quarter to help the Spartans cut the deficit to 54-51 entering the fourth quarter.

Laurel eventually took a 62-61 lead with about four minutes left in the game before the Lancers closed out the win with its offensive surge.

Neshannock had five players reach double figures with Ty Haswell leading the way with 18 points and Matt McKinney was next with 15. Ernie Burkes, Ethan Moose and Jimmy Medure contributed 11 apiece.

Wertz and Jacob Wilson each tossed in 15 points to pace Laurel, while Josh Dando contributed 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Mason Mraz tacked on 10 points and seven rebounds.