MERRY HILL – The problem is too many turnovers.

Lawrence Academy’s varsity girls committed 25 of those errors Tuesday night and Terra Ceia Christian School took advantage of most every one of them as the visiting team claimed a 44-28 Tarheel Independent Conference win.

“It was the same old story,” said second-year Warriors’ skipper Jack Williford. “We turned the ball over too much and got out-rebounded. Terra Ceia had an excellent game plan. They knew our weaknesses and took advantage of them. That shows how much we have to work on those areas.”

Terra Ceia jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage thanks to consecutive hoops from Catherine Smith. Lawrence finally answered when Casey Belch hit from 14 foot out with 6:20 to play in the first quarter.

The Lady Knights continued their roll, however, as they scored nine of the next 11 points to surge ahead 13-4. The only Lawrence basket came from Belch at the 4:18 mark.

With the Warriors trailing by nine, however, they scored the last three points of the half when Ashton Lyle scored from the floor and Ashtyn Mizelle hit a free throw to close the gap to 13-7 heading into the second period.

The Knights scored the first 10 points of the second quarter and dominated the period 16-1. The only point for the Warriors came on a free throw off the hands of Danielle Davis. Mariah Van Essendelft paced the quarter’s surge for Terra Ceia as she scored five of her eight points during the quarter.

Jullian Van Essendelft opened the third quarter with a hoop for the Knights, but afterward the Warriors went on a 10-1 run. Mizelle started the spurt with a hoop at the 6:40 mark. She was followed by hoops from Taylor Sexton and Davis. Sexton and White then had back-to-back buckets to close the gap to 32-18.

Terra Ceia responded with the final six points of the quarter getting a hoop from J. Van Essendelft and two from Kate Jackson as they went back ahead by 20 (38-18).

In the fourth quarter, Lawrence was able to get as close as 14 (41-27) after senior Debbie Stotesbury and White were able to each convert on both of their 1-plus-1 opportunities.

Terra Ceia, however, went on to score three of the final four points to claim the victory.

The Lady Warriors’ scoring was balanced with Belch and Lyle leading the way with five points while Stotesbury, White and Sexton had four each. Mizelle and Davis contributed three points each.

Smith paced TCCS with 13 points while Jackson added 11. Mariah Van Essendelft had eight for the Knights while Jullian Van Essendelft contributed seven.

Lawrence will on the road Friday when they travel to Hobgood Academy.