In their first road game of the season, the Chargers faced off against former South Region opponent, Trinity College of Florida, in the Pensacola Invitational at Pensacola Christian College. This invitational featured men's and women's teams from across the country, representing the USCAA, NAIA, and NCCAA, and offered the Chargers a challenging start to their away-game stretch. The Chargers took the floor for the invitational's second game, with tip-off at 4:15 pm.
The Chargers struck first, jumping to a 3-0 lead off early free throws from Sarahia Hurd and Kylee Madden. The teams traded scores early, keeping things knotted at six at the 6:50 mark. However, the Tigers responded with a 16-2 run to close out the first and into the second quarter. A tough shooting start plagued the Chargers, hitting just 14% from the field and 13% from beyond the arc in the first quarter, allowing the Tigers to secure a 17-8 lead.
As the second quarter unfolded, both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm, though the Chargers' defense held the Tigers to just 16% shooting, including 1-for-9 from three-point range. Despite cutting down on the Tigers' opportunities, the Chargers trailed 26-16 going into halftime and looking for answers.
The Chargers' defense took control after the break, holding the Tigers to just four points in the third quarter and keeping them scoreless over the final 7:37 of the period. With a solid defensive stand, the Chargers cut the lead to just two points, though a cold stretch in the final minutes prevented them from gaining the upper hand. The Tigers managed to rebuild their lead to nine points at the 6:30 mark of the fourth quarter.
In a nail-biting finish, the Chargers rallied fiercely in the final six minutes. With 33 seconds on the clock and down by three, the Chargers had a chance to cut the lead further but missed the shot, leading to a foul on the Tigers' Ortega. Ortega missed both free throws, giving the Chargers one last opportunity to tie. With seconds left, Coward's three-point attempt fell short, but Jim grabbed the offensive rebound and quickly put it back up as the clock expired. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, and the Chargers fell 45-44.
Leading the Chargers, Sarahia Hurd scored 14 points and dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, while Kylee Madden added 12 points. Jim also chipped in with an impressive 12 rebounds, showcasing the team's resilience and determination on the boards. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Chargers displayed grit and defensive prowess that will be vital as they continue their road stretch.
The Chargers are set to return to action on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., where they'll face Dallas Christian College to wrap up their time at the Pensacola Invitational. The team looks forward to bouncing back and building on their defensive efforts from Thursday's close game. Special thanks to Pensacola Christian College for being a gracious host and for the team dinner on Thursday night—it's been a memorable experience both on and off the court!
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