The Chargers hit the court one last time at the Pensacola Invitational, looking to close the weekend on a high note. Unlike in previous games, the Chargers came out firing, shooting an impressive 50% from the field in the first quarter. Both teams exchanged baskets in a back-and-forth opening period, with turnovers and offensive rebounds preventing the Chargers from taking full control. Freshman post player Laura Cobb delivered a standout performance, scoring 9 of her season-high 17 points in the opening frame. She tied as the team's leading scorer alongside Sarahia Hurd, who also posted 17 points and grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. The first quarter wrapped up with the Chargers narrowly leading, 16-15.

The second quarter was a challenging one offensively, as the Chargers managed just 9 points. Turnovers allowed the Crusaders to take a 28-25 lead heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Cobb continued her strong play, adding 8 more points. Despite her efforts, turnovers plagued the Chargers once again, and the team was outscored by two in the quarter, trailing 45-40 at the end of three.

The fourth quarter saw Hurd heating up with 9 points, while Sydney Coward added 5 more. Coward contributed 11 points, including three key three-pointers, marking her second double-digit scoring game of the year. Junior forward Jim nearly recorded her third consecutive game with double-digit rebounds, finishing with an impressive 9 boards. The Chargers posted their highest-scoring quarter with 20 points, but the persistence of turnovers allowed the Crusaders to keep their edge. Despite the Chargers' relentless fight, they ultimately fell short by just two points in a hard-fought battle.

After the game, Coach Milligan acknowledged the team's effort, saying, "We have to stop beating ourselves with turnovers." He added, "I love this team's never-quit attitude and their fight until the very end. But we've got to stop putting ourselves in that position."

The Chargers will be back in action on Monday, November 4, 2024, against NCAA Division I opponent McNeese State University for their annual Kids Game. "This is a great opportunity for our team and the college," said Coach Milligan. Tip-off is set for 11:00 a.m., and fans can catch all the action live on ESPN Plus.

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