The Cumberland Valley Christian Blazers got off to a fast start but faltered late in a 50-40 loss to Faith Christian Tuesday evening in a Mason Dixon Christian Conference boys basketball game.

“I thought we started the game really well. We came out with energy and aggression, but we struggled to maintain that in the second half,” Blazers coach Austin Sanders said. “We have to do a better job of closing out games in the fourth. It’s been our Achilles’ heel in all three of our conference games.”

The Blazers (4-5, 0-3 MDCC) burst out to a 15-6 lead in the first four minutes, but they managed only 25 points over the next 28 minutes, including only four in the fourth quarter. They entered the final period ahead 36-33, but Faith put together a 17-point fourth quarter.

Josh Rudy and Reece Hunsberger each netted 12 points to lead the Blazers in scoring. Gabe Beckering added five points and team highs in rebounds with 10 and assists with four. Zack Mace scored four points, Nathan Minnier three, and Ryan Crawford and Thomas Garvin two apiece. Garvin led in steals with three and Rudy in blocked shots with three.