SWARTHMORE, PA. - The Ursinus College Women's Basketball team was unable to overcome an early deficit and lost to Swarthmore College 54-42. The Bears offense struggled from the field on the evening shooting just 31.3% from the field.  

The Garnet jumped out an early 5-0 lead after a three-pointer and a layup by Dana Bandurick found the back of the net at the 8:30 mark. Maria D'Aulerio answered for the Bears with a mid-range jumper with 6:11 remaining in the first. The Garnet would go on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes before Sarah DiLello cut the deficit to nine at the 1:17 mark. Both teams would score a basket before the quarter ended with Swarthmore leading 16-7.  

First-year forward Chinwe Irondi would open the second quarter connecting on two free throws and a layup to cut the deficit to just five. Swarthmore answered with back-to-back baskets as Irondi responded with layups of her own to make the score 20-15 with 4:55 remaining in the half. The Garnet would end the quarter on a 4-0 run and lead 24-15 at the break.  

Natalie Mehl would score the first four points of the third quarter for the Bears, but after a free throw from Alyssa Hayashi, the Bears trailed by 10 with 6:03 to play in the quarter. Swarthmore would go on a 10-4 run and lead 39-23 with 10 minutes to play.  

Irondi and the offense would come alive in the fourth quarter outscoring Swarthmore 19-15, but the deficit proved to be too large as the Bears fell on the road. Irondi scored 11 points in the fourth behind 4 of 7 from the field and finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds.  

Both teams struggled from behind the three-point line, the Garnet held the advantage in the contest shooting 30.8% (4-13) compared to just 14.3% for the Bears. Swarthmore held the advantage in rebounds 36-34 and shot 41.1% from the field.  

The Bears will look to bounce back Thursday as they host Bryn Mawr for a 7:30 start inside Helfferich Hall.