Box Score HAVERFORD, Pa. – Senior Katie Lytle and junior Elle Larsen each came close to notching a double-double, but the Swarthmore College women's basketball team fell by a 57-52 decision to Haverford in a Centennial Conference and Hood Trophy battle on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Gardner Integrated Athletic Center.

The first half was a seesaw battle with one tie and seven lead changes.  With the visitors trailing 12-11, Larsen drove in for a layup to help spark a 9-3 run for the Garnet. A 3-pointer by freshman Maggie O'Neil at the end of the stretch gave Swarthmore its largest lead of the frame at 20-15 with 9:38 left.

Haverford (13-1, CC 8-1) rallied and went ahead by a 22-20 score when senior Hope Rainey drilled a trifecta with 4:54 on the clock. The Garnet, however, responded and went into the break up 27-24 courtesy of a Lytle jumper that was set up by junior Chastity Hopkins.

Swarthmore maintained its slim lead for most of the second half, but the Fords hung around and were able to utilize big offensive run in the middle stages to move ahead with under eight minutes remaining. After tying the score three times, Haverford eventually rattled off 10 unanswered to jump in front by a 44-37 score. Junior Elizabeth Lynch scored five consecutive points during the stretch, which included a 3-pointer to break a 37-all deadlock.

Trailing by seven, the Garnet stormed back and tied the game at 44s when Larsen converted a layup with 4:46 left. But the Fords would not surrender their lead and netted seven of the next nine points to go ahead for good. Two free throws by junior Jacquelyne Pizzuto capped the scoring and allowed the hosts to escape with the five-point win.

The Garnet were paced by Lytle and Larsen. Lytle had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Larsen contributed 13 points and nine boards. Stephanie Lechich also netted double figures, finishing the game with 11 points.

Haverford, which picked up half a point in the Hood Trophy race, was led by Lynch's 18-point effort. Nina Voith posted 10 points, five rebounds and a game-high four steals, and Shannon Smith grabbed 10 boards.

Swarthmore (8-8, CC 3-7) returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 when it hosts Dickinson at 1 p.m.