After getting behind 14-3 at the end of the first quarter, it looked like there was no way that Summit Christian Academy could get back in the game with Crossroads Conference rivals Sherwood Feb. 8 at Summit Christian Academy.</p><p>But the Eagles fought back, even though they still lost 43-39.</p><p>&#x201C;The girls are really hitting their stride right now,&#x201D; Summit Christian Academy head coach Danielle VanDyke said. &#x201C;We played defense and fought back and really played like a team.&#x201D;</p><p>Summit Christian Academy started the battle back in the second quarter, outscoring the Marksmen 10-7 to close the gap to 21-13 at halftime. In the third quarter, with the score at 23-15, Summit Christian Academy freshman forward Elizabeth Stratton hit a basket and junior guard Brooke Jacobson sunk a three-pointer to bring the game within three. </p><p>Sherwood came back with a free throw from senior guard Courtney Hall and a shot from senior forward Britney Atkin, but Eagle sophomore guard Jessa Kliewer hit a three-pointer to make a three-point game again at 26-23. </p><p>Then the Marksmen went on a 8-0 run to lead 34-23. After a three-pointer from Summit Christian Academy&#x2019;s Jacobson, the score was 34-26 going into the last eight minutes of play.</p><p>In the fourth quarter, with the score at 38-32, the Eagles went on a run with two baskets from senior forward Haley Bruns and a three from Kliewer to take a 39-38 lead with less than two minutes in the game. After some defensive struggles, Sherwood&#x2019;s Hall stole the ball away with less than a minute left and scored to give the Marksmen a 41-39 lead. </p><p>Jacobson missed a basket and the Eagles fouled Sherwood senior guard Ashley Hayworth, who sunk both free throws to make the score 43-39. Kliewer tried for a three-pointer with 20 seconds left, but missed and Sherwood grabbed the rebound. The Eagles called a timeout and fouled Hayworth again, who missed both shots, but time expired.</p><p>&#x201C;It&#x2019;s exciting to see the girls take pride and ownership in this team,&#x201D; VanDyke said. &#x201C;I am so proud of the progress these girls have made and I&#x2019;m excited to see where this effort takes us in the postseason.&#x201D;</p><p>The Eagles, 7-12, were led in scoring by Kliewer with 13 points and Jacobson with 10 points. Bruns had eight points, Stratton had four points, Rachel Bacon added three points and Mady Harmon had one point.