Lady Lions close, fall to Lady Greyhounds
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
MANCHESTER — The Fairfield Lady Lions traveled to Manchester Monday and came away with a loss in one that "slipped away" in the final two minutes of the first half.
Fairfield was down 12-10 late in the second quarter when starting point guard Kaitlin Evans and starting center Heather Cox went to the bench after picking up their third foul each.
Already shorthanded with starting guard Haley Bobb sidelined with an ankle injury and sixth man Justice Hattan out with a head injury, the Lions were outscored 18-2 in the final 2:30 of the first half.
"We talked before the game about what we couldn't do, and committing bad fouls was one of the focal points," Fairfield head coach Matt Hodson said. "I had to leave them in with two fouls hoping we could get to halftime without picking up their third fouls, but it didn't work out."
The Lady Lions came out in the third quarter, outscoring Manchester 9-5 with Cox scoring six of her team-high 16 in the third frame.
"We really extended our zone defense out and put more pressure on their wings, causing them to make some bad passes that got us back into the game," Hodson said.
Entering the final quarter, the Lady Lions trailed 34-21, but the young Fairfield squad wasn't ready to bow out just yet.
They picked up the Lady Greyhounds with full-court pressure, causing them to turn the ball over, helping the Lady Lions get some transition baskets.
"The girls left it all on the court (Monday) with their second-half comebacks," Hodson said. "Unfortunately, when you dig yourself an 18-point hole, it is tough to climb all the way out of it.
"We have to get better at taking care of the basketball, and we have way too many turnovers."
The Lady Lions got within six points with under a minute to go but could get no closer.
Along with Cox's 16 points, she collected nine rebounds and four steals.
Shelby Smithson collected 11 rebounds and three steals while scoring five points.
Cynnamon Sova-Davy had her best game of the season, scoring eight points while tallying seven rebounds and two steals.
Fairfield out-rebounded Manchester 40-21, but committed well over 30 turnovers to only 22 for Manchester.
Fairfield (1-4) will be in action at home on Thursday, Dec. 15 against West Union.[[In-content Ad]]
Fairfield was down 12-10 late in the second quarter when starting point guard Kaitlin Evans and starting center Heather Cox went to the bench after picking up their third foul each.
Already shorthanded with starting guard Haley Bobb sidelined with an ankle injury and sixth man Justice Hattan out with a head injury, the Lions were outscored 18-2 in the final 2:30 of the first half.
"We talked before the game about what we couldn't do, and committing bad fouls was one of the focal points," Fairfield head coach Matt Hodson said. "I had to leave them in with two fouls hoping we could get to halftime without picking up their third fouls, but it didn't work out."
The Lady Lions came out in the third quarter, outscoring Manchester 9-5 with Cox scoring six of her team-high 16 in the third frame.
"We really extended our zone defense out and put more pressure on their wings, causing them to make some bad passes that got us back into the game," Hodson said.
Entering the final quarter, the Lady Lions trailed 34-21, but the young Fairfield squad wasn't ready to bow out just yet.
They picked up the Lady Greyhounds with full-court pressure, causing them to turn the ball over, helping the Lady Lions get some transition baskets.
"The girls left it all on the court (Monday) with their second-half comebacks," Hodson said. "Unfortunately, when you dig yourself an 18-point hole, it is tough to climb all the way out of it.
"We have to get better at taking care of the basketball, and we have way too many turnovers."
The Lady Lions got within six points with under a minute to go but could get no closer.
Along with Cox's 16 points, she collected nine rebounds and four steals.
Shelby Smithson collected 11 rebounds and three steals while scoring five points.
Cynnamon Sova-Davy had her best game of the season, scoring eight points while tallying seven rebounds and two steals.
Fairfield out-rebounded Manchester 40-21, but committed well over 30 turnovers to only 22 for Manchester.
Fairfield (1-4) will be in action at home on Thursday, Dec. 15 against West Union.[[In-content Ad]]