The Lady Spartans suffered another overtime loss, this time at the hands of Section 1-AA opponent Beaver Falls.

Laurel, which fell to Shenango in double overtime earlier this year, hasn’t quite found the recipe to win those overtime games or to avoid them altogether.

“We’re playing hard,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “But we just need a few of the pieces to click to be competitive in these games.”

Free throws became a factor for the Lady Spartans (1-4, 6-7), as they hit just 56 percent (18 for 32) from the charity stripe, including a poor fourth-quarter showing.

“We missed eight shots in the fourth quarter,” Shevitz said. “We had a chance to put the game away and we didn’t do it. We won three out of the five quarters and should have won it.”

Ellen Shaffer continued her dominance, scoring 21 points and corralling 15 rebounds. Kristin Dicks tallied 12 points and Aleyce Bell contributed 11.

School cancellations have taken its toll on Laurel. The game, which was supposed to be held last Thursday, was postponed because of inclement weather. That weather held up practices as well, which led to Laurel shooting just 29 percent from the field.

“We went two days without having a basketball in our hands,” Shevitz said. “I think the girls were just a little bit rusty.”