GAMBIER, Ohio -- After trailing by as many as 22 points, the Kenyon College Ladies basketball team's comeback attempt came up just short when a layup from Miranda Diesz spun out of the basket with 17 seconds remaining in Friday night's non-conference contest. Following the miss, Case Western Reserve University converted four free throws to claim a 76-70 victory.

The Spartans (7-2) dominated early, finishing the first quarter with 32 points on 9-of-10 shooting. They hit their first nine shots, including a 5-of-5 showing from three-point range. Kara Hageman scored 12 of her game-high 24 points in that opening frame.

The Ladies (6-3) came roaring back after halftime, outscoring the Spartans 28-18 in the third quarter of action. The surge in offense in the second half came from a quartet that included Griffin Tullis, Bailey Dominguez, Miranda Diesz and Charlotte Bussema. They combined to score 51 points, including 33 in the final 20 minutes.

Prior to the missed layup in the waning seconds, Kenyon rallied from a 72-65 deficit with 2:07 to play. Ifeoma Archimalo scored the final two points of her nine-point effort to bring the Ladies with in five.

One minute later, after a Hageman turnover, Dominguez hit a three-point shot to bring the Ladies within two points with 49 seconds left. A second Case turnover was forced on the next possession and Tullis was credited with steal. With 24 seconds left, the Ladies called a timeout to set up the potential game-deciding play that didn't end up going their way.

Three Ladies reached double figures with Dominguez and Bussema each scoring a team-high 13 points. Tullis added 12 points, while Diesz finished with nine. Bussema also led the Ladies with seven rebounds and Dominguez dished out a game-high seven assists.

The Ladies' defense forced 20 turnovers, compared to just eight giveaways.

Next up for the Ladies is a trip to Delaware, Ohio, on December 17 to face the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops. The opening tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.