The Lancers couldn’t hold on to a late lead in falling to the Class AAA Bobcats in nonsection action.

Neshannock (7-2) led 50-41 with 3:56 to go, but Beaver closed the game on a 10-0 run to claim the victory.

The Lancers missed a front-end of a one-and-one with four seconds to go and nursing a 50-49 advantage. The Bobcats (6-4) snared the rebound and raced to the other end.

Beaver’s Zach Royba was fouled with five-tenths of a second left and he drained both shots to cap the comeback.

“We had great opportunities to win the game, but we self imploded down the stretch,” Neshannock coach John Corey said. “There were a lot of mental mistakes we made.

“Beaver is a really good basketball team. Winning that game would have been great for us. They’re a quality basketball team. To compete the way we did is great.”

Ethan Moose netted a team-high 17 points for Neshannock and T.J. Scott was next with 10. Moose also added a game-best 14 rebounds. Jake Rylott contributed six boards and seven assists to go with his eight points.

Austin Saal tallied 16 markers to lead Beaver.

Neshannock returns to Section 1-AA action at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow when it hosts Mohawk (0-3 section, 1-9).

The Lancers (4-0 league) are tied for first in the loop with Lincoln Park (4-0, 9-1). The teams will meet on the Leopards’ home floor at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“Mohawk always gets up for Neshannock,” Corey said. “Regardless of records, it will be a battle.

“The matchup Friday (against Lincoln Park) will definitely be an exciting one for us. Everyone knows how good Lincoln Park is. We’re looking forward to that challenge as well. But it’s one game at a time.”