Despite missing a key piece in their lineup, the Lady Bombers are still proving their mettle — even in defeat.

Palmerton hosted Notre Dame on Monday night in a clash between the two most recent Colonial League champions. The Crusaders caught fire early, building a 15-point lead that the Bombers couldn’t quite overcome and escaped with a 46-39 victory.

Palmerton found itself at an immediate disadvantage with key starter Courtney Connell out for the season with a knee injury. Without her ability to contribute on the court, she is still finding ways to help her teammates off it.

“She really helps to hold the team together,” Bomber head coach Jeremy Coleman said. “Of course we certainly miss her on the court, but just having around helps her with the whole culture of the team. It’s nice to have her support, and she’s there helping out the girls, giving them some tips and encouraging them.”

Unfortunately for the host team, no extra support or motivation could stop Green Pond’s early start.

Seven points from Ava Hobbie, including one of her three three-pointers during the contest, helped propel the visitors to a 19-6 lead after the first quarter.

“I thought that first quarter was one of the better quarters that we played all season long,” said Crusader mentor Josh Kopp. “I thought we did a really great job moving the basketball. Our defense was locked in. We had some kids who looked confident shooting and making some shots.”

It was easy to believe that Notre Dame was just going to run away from there, but Palmerton showed that it wasn’t going down easily despite not being at full strength.

The Bombers increased their pressure on defense to create turnovers and went on a 9-0 run in the second frame to get back into the game.

Palmerton managed to outscore ND in the final three quarters.

Even as the Bombers narrowed the lead to five at one point, Greed Pond managed to hold on to its advantage.

ND only had two turnovers in the fourth, though, and Ava Shonk stepped up offensively with back-to-back threes in the third, and added another four points in the fourth.

“We’ve got some key reserves that we can turn to when we get into foul trouble, or if we need a little bit of a change and a different look,” Kopp said. “And I thought our bench players came in and did a really great job of giving us some contributions.”

Though it didn’t win, there were numerous positives for Palmerton to take away.

Emma Rex and Alisyn Green each finished with eight rebounds, and recorded double figures in points (Rex with 13 and Green with 10), proving that they can fill in for Connell at both ends of the floor.

The expectations for the Bombers are still as high as they were before facing this kind of adversity. Regardless of lineup adjustments, coach Coleman knows that won’t change how his team plays each night.

“Right now it’s just about figuring out where the pieces go, and that’s what we’re in the midst of doing,” he said.

“Things aren’t always going to be easy. We’re just going to keep battling and keep fighting and let the chips fall where they do, but we’re not going to throw in the towel. We’re going to give it our all, and we’re going to fight.”

STANDOUT STAR … Hobbie led the Crusaders in scoring with 13 points, and added eight rebounds and three blocks.

FAMILIAR OPPONENT … Both teams will face Wilson in their next matchup. Palmerton travels there on Thursday, then Notre Dame hosts the Warriors on Saturday. Wilson defeated Northwestern 59-50 on Monday.

NOTRE DAME

Shonk 5-2-4-14, Hammerstone 2-1-2-7, Karawacki 0-1-4-1, Boyle 3-0-0-7, Micklos 0-0-0-0, Coulter 0-0-0-0, Hobbie 5-1-2-13, Reichard 0-0-0-0, Beani 2-0-2-4. TOTALS: 17-5-14-46.

PALMERTON

A. Barry 4-0-3-9, Rex 6-0-2-13, Rumfield 0-0-0-0, Morgan 2-1-2-5, Green 5-0-0-10, H. Barry 0-2-2-2. TOTALS: 17-3-9-39.

Notre Dame 19 7 9 11 - 46

Palmerton 6 11 10 12 - 39

Three-pointers: Notre Dame - Shonk 2, Hobbie 2, Hammerstone 2, Boyle 1; Palmerton - A. Barry 1, Rex 1.

Records: Notre Dame (8-4; 7-1); Palmerton (8-4; 7-3).