(London, Ontario) - The Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (5-9) fell 72-53 on Thursday evening at home against the Redeemer Royals (4-9).

The Royals had a quick start and took a 7-3 lead over the Falcons. Then, Renee Matt (Oakville, ON) scored three consecutive baskets, one of those baskets included a sweet pump fake which had her defender flying by as the ball went through the hoop. After the first, the Birds and Royals were tied at 13.

In the second, the visitors were up 19-15 when Alison Cotton (London, ON) grabbed an offensive board which she later converted on. Joanna Smith (Simcoe, ON) scored her first points of the game while swishing a beautiful step-back from behind the arc. Redeemer then went on a run and took a 9-point advantage late in the quarter. With 10 seconds remaining in the half, Smith drained another three to close in on the Royals lead.

To start the third, Taya Spears (London, ON) pickpocketed a Royals ballhandler and made an easy layup off the steal. Later in the quarter, first-year Sidney Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames) recorded a steal and sidestepped a defender on the fastbreak for two. Smith knocked down another triple off a Myra Ciccarelli (Hamilton, ON) pass. The Birds trailed 56-44 after three.

Second-year Ciccarelli opened the fourth with a quick bucket for the Falcons. Then, Cotton cleaned up on the glass, securing a rebound and putting it back in the net to give Fanshawe 48. Then, Smith sunk her third triple of the game and Cotton made a jumper to cut the visitor's lead down. Unfortunately, Redeemer pulled away later in the fourth and took the game 72-53. Despite the loss, Cotton recorded a double-double on 12 points and a stellar 17 rebounds.

The Falcons look to bounce back at home on Saturday, February 3 at 1:00 p.m. against the Humber Hawks (7-6).