It was Lycoming that first put a smudge on the Mona Lisa of a season Elizabethtown College's basketball team was painting four weeks ago.

So it seemed only natural that Lycoming would finish what it started and ruin the whole thing Tuesday night.

Lycoming, the surprise regular-season champion of the MAC's Commonwealth Conference, handed Elizabethtown a 56-54 loss in Thompson Gym to eliminate the Jays from the race for a playoff berth.

The win clinched the regular season title for the Warriors. The loss left E-town two games out of the final conference playoff spot with just one game remaining.

No one would have bet that things would end up this way back on Jan. 22 when Elizabethtown, then 13-1, traveled to Williamsport to meet Lycoming, at the time 8-6, in the Commonwealth opener.

But the teams went in opposite directions once Lycoming inflicted a 79-78 OT win on E-town that night. The Jays dropped seven of their next nine games, while Lycoming won eight of its last 10.

"We never thought this could happen," said senior Mike Schatzmann. "I don't know (why). I wish I did."

Elizabethtown is 15-8 overall, but 2-7 in the Commonwealth. Lycoming is 16-8, but 7-2 in the conference.

"Saturday, we could very well be 16-8," Schatzmann said, picturing a season-ending win at Widener. "You say that's a good year but not really, when seven of your losses come in the conference.

"It's frustrating."

It's easier to solve a Rubik's Cube than it is to figure out E-town's slide into oblivion.

Schatzmann, the Pequea Valley grad who is E-town's leading scorer, believes the Jays simply peaked too soon, lost their focus, and were passed by teams that improved as the season progressed.

"We figured it out right away because we played together so much (in the offseason)," he said.

"Other teams, they don't figure it out until Christmas break. Then conference time comes around, they start getting it together. And that's when it counts."

E-town coach Bob Schlosser can count his team winning more close games than it lost. That's usually a sign of success and strength.

But those close wins came early. The close losses came late.

"I don't know what it is," he said. "I don't have an answer. I really don't."

The Jays forced Lycoming into 29 turnovers last night, but couldn't take advantage because they shot poorly — 29.7 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from three-point range.

A three-pointer by Lycoming's Eric Anthony with 1:56 left gave the Warriors a 56-54 lead. E-town couldn't get a tying basket.

The Jays set up a play with six seconds left, but senior Chad Piersol, closely guarded, forced a three-point attempt that didn't hit the rim.

"We all struggled all night long," Schlosser said. "Our effort is good. Our intensity is solid. But other than that, we can't make shots.

"You've got to be able to make plays. We can't make them. And I can't tell you why."

Piersol, E-town's second-leading scorer (17.6 ppg), managed just seven points on 2-for-9 shooting. He also had six of his team's 20 turnovers.

Schatzmann had 13 points, but shot 5-of-15. Solanco grad Mike Church added 12 points.

Anthony had 13 and David Wilson 15 for Lycoming.

"There's not much difference in our teams," Schlosser said. "But they've got guys who can make plays down the stretch right now, and we don't."

The timing of big baskets can make a game, just like the timing of big wins can make a season — or break it.

"We had a really good year. We just didn't win the games that mattered," Schatzmann said.

"I guess it would've been better to go 0-13, and then go 10-0 in the conference."

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